To work on the front door, start by raising the window and then removing the door trim panel and watershield. For Cobalt/GS and ION models, disconnect the rod from the latch mechanism to the outside door handle and any electrical connectors from the door latch assembly, if applicable. Remove the latch mounting bolts and the inside handle retaining screw on ION models, and take out the handle, cable/rods, and latch as an assembly from the door. For lock cylinder and outer door handle replacement, follow specific steps for each model type. On Cobalt/GS models, remove the bolt securing the front of the handle from inside the door, then disconnect the lock cylinder rod and remove the lock cylinder mounting screws. On ION models, disconnect the lock cylinder rod and remove the lock cylinder from the door. For outer door handle replacement, lift up the handle and remove the plastic pushpin, then push the door handle towards the front of the vehicle to remove it from the pivot assembly in the door. For HHR models, remove the trim cap for the outside handle retaining screw, remove the screw, pull the door handle outwards, and remove the handle cover. To disengage the outside door handle lever from the handle reinforcement inside the door, pull it out of the door and to the rear. Inspect and replace the outside door handle seals if necessary. For the inside door handle, disconnect the actuator cable and reverse the removal procedure. For the door latch or outside door handle reinforcement, remove the outside door handle, reinforcement exterior retaining screw, and the latch mounting fasteners. Pull out the latch and rods from the door as a single assembly, disconnecting the rods and electrical connector if not done earlier. On a clean workbench, disconnect the outside handle and lock cylinder actuator rods from the latch or from the outside door handle reinforcement. Installation is the reverse of removal. To remove the door lock cylinder, first remove the door latch and outside door handle reinforcement, then slide the locking clip outwards and remove the lock cylinder. Remove the clip and rod arm from the lock cylinder. When installing the lock cylinder, push it all the way into the outside door handle reinforcement until it clicks into place, then install the locking clip. Installation is otherwise the reverse of removal. For the rear doors (all models), follow similar procedures as listed for the front doors, including removing the door trim panel and watershield, disconnecting the outside door handle, and addressing specific steps for lock cylinder, outer door handle, and inside door handle replacement. For coupe models with smaller "rear seat access" doors, the replacement steps are different and involve removing the handle and latches, both upper and lower, depending on the location, then reinstalling them in reverse order.
Posted by GMPartsGiant Specialist 
