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How do I fix an excessive panel gap on a car?

There’s a gap between the end of my driver’s side door and the quarter-panel that didn’t used to be there. I’d love to eliminate this gap, if possible. How can I fix an excessive panel gap on my car?

avatar
Nick Kunze · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Panel gaps can be frustrating and unsightly. The best way to fix a panel gap on your door is to tighten your door’s hinges.
The issue likely lies with your car door’s hinges. You’ll need to loosen the hinges’ bolts, realign the door, and then retighten the bolts to fix the issue.
To reach all of the bolts, you’ll need to remove your fender. Once your fender is off, you can:
  • Loosen the two bolts outside the car and the four bolts inside the car.
  • With the bolts loosened, you’ll need to push the door closed and realign it to close the gap.
  • If possible, have a friend hold the door in place while you retighten the bolts.
  • Reattach the fender, and you should be good to go!
While general upkeep like this isn’t covered, there are plenty of repairs a good
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