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Need Feedback: Paragon lowering collars bent struts
Correction: Paragon Lowering Collars caused actuator failure on strut. Not a bent strut.
Dealer sent this note:
“The front shocks are damaged from the lowering spacers which GM has seen it before do you want to contact the company that you purchased the lowering spacers from or find another option we could install new GM front shocks estimate $3850.00. The boot at the top. The lowering kit damages the shocks so I can’t do it under warranty and the lowering kit will damage new shocks. It’s an internal problem it damages the actuator. The motor that adjusts the height.”
I sent info to Paragon after hours. Hope they will assist. These have been very popular. Wanted to get some informed forum feedback from others before I call Paragon tomorrow. Message on dash says “axle lift needs serviced”.
Thanks.
Last edited by Driv200; Feb 2, 2024 at 12:05 PM.
Reason: Correction
GM has a notice out to dealers specifically alerting them to the Paragon lowering collars. Replace your shocks and go with lowering springs instead. They can do much better on that estimate though! The shocks themselves are about $325/each from RockAuto and you're looking at 4 hours MAX in labor. I replaced all 4 magnetic ride shocks on my C7, working alone, no lift, in 4 hours flat.
Awesome info. Thankful for your informed feedback. What/where do you recommend for replacement?
I'd personally go with Eibach springs, but people seem to have good feedback on Paragon's springs as well (maybe they'd cut you a break due to the failure caused by their collars?). I'd have the dealer install them while they're in there anyway swapping the shocks.
I know that GM issued the warning about lowering collars, but there are a lot of us who have the collars and have no problems. I think it has a lot to do with who installed them and whether they knew what they were doing (mine were actually installed by a Chevy dealer service dept. 2 years ago). I would be interested to know what the Paragon response is when you get it.
I agree. I know these have been popular. My installer is a recognized leader installing parts on exotics and maintaining priceless vintage race cars. No concerns on the install.
I did just get the copy of GM bulletin picturing paragon collars in their Jan 2024 bulletin. Hoping paragon will partner and provide good customer service on a solution.
Called Paragon just now and left Michael a vm asking for customer support and a solution to this dilemma.
Last edited by Driv200; Feb 2, 2024 at 05:50 PM.
Reason: Correction & add
Michael at Paragon eluded to working on a solution. He asked me to email the GM Bulletin attached below. Instant email reply from Korey at Paragon passing the buck as install error. Zero effort to work out a solution. I’m easy to work with. Just show some support. Again, poor customer service from a perceived top vendor. Michael never called me back. Please PM me to add your name to the growing list of axle lift issues.
Here is the instant email reply. The only suspension change are the Paragon Lowering Collars. Paragon reply and denial Paragon reply and denial Confirming discussion with Michael. Never called back. Korey confirms denial and not interested in discussing any solution or help.
Sounds like a lawsuit needs to be filed and let the legal system decide. My car also has front lift service warning since installing the collars. I guess it's an install issue as well? I wont be buying anything from Paragon in the future. Sounds like low character people running that company.
Actually folks, when the front lift fails because of lowering collars it IS an installation problem. There is nothing inherently wrong with a longer shock collar that causes a front lift problem - it is damage caused by the installation.
Actually folks, when the front lift fails because of lowering collars it IS an installation problem. There is nothing inherently wrong with a longer shock collar that causes a front lift problem - it is damage caused by the installation.
This is not a difficult install. As long as you align the pieces exactly like you removed them it is hard to mess up.
This won’t take long. There is a GM bulletin update referencing the Paragon lowering collars sent to all service advisors for a reason. Please PM and add your info in message. Thanks.
From what I can see, using shorter springs (lowering springs) should not cause any damage to the lift mechanism based on what I see. Is that the case? Or will GM void the warranty even if all you use are shorter springs to lower the car?
From what I can see, using shorter springs (lowering springs) should not cause any damage to the lift mechanism based on what I see. Is that the case? Or will GM void the warranty even if all you use are shorter springs to lower the car?
lowering springs might have less risk as the lift mechanism will still be in same orientation on the shock body as stock, but any modification to the front shock assembly could get front lift or any shock assembly warranty voided. The shock assembly has technically been modified at that point so dealer is not required to warrenty in my opinion.
My guess is it is the change in position on the strut that causes the issue and nothing to do with the brand of the collar. As soon as you decide to modify something you remove GM from having to cover said part under warranty. With the number of collars I bet Paragon has sold, you are not going to get them to cover anything for the small number of failures we have seen reported.
I have actually seen two examples of the same failure without collars, so could just be something that happens at low frequency but if you modified the shock, GM decided they wont cover those anymore.
They've been very popular. There have also been multiple posts from people who have reported exactly the same problems as the OP. Modify the OEM parts at your own risk.
Originally Posted by Kracka
I'd personally go with Eibach springs, but people seem to have good feedback on Paragon's springs as well (maybe they'd cut you a break due to the failure caused by their collars?). I'd have the dealer install them while they're in there anyway swapping the shocks.
I wouldn't count on getting the dealer to install non OEM springs, though.
Sounds like a lawsuit needs to be filed and let the legal system decide. My car also has front lift service warning since installing the collars. I guess it's an install issue as well? I wont be buying anything from Paragon in the future. Sounds like low character people running that company.
Who do you think you're going to sue successfully. Paragon didn't perform the installation and never warranted the installation, nor guaranteed their part wouldn't affect the factory warranty. Unless the Paragon part failed, I don't see that they have any liability at all. Nor does GM. Any time you modify a car you need to be aware that you're taking the risk.
I've had the collars on for over 8k miles and use my front lift quite a bit with zero issues. Although hearing this does make me nervous from a warranty stand point. Mag ride as well.
Glad you guys posted this info. I just purchased a 2021 C8 with the lift, Z51, and mag ride. I guess I won't be lowering it until I see a solution that cause problems with the lift.
Glad you guys posted this info. I just purchased a 2021 C8 with the lift, Z51, and mag ride. I guess I won't be lowering it until I see a solution that cause problems with the lift.
one solution is use springs. Then you don’t need to touch the front lift cylinder. No matter what you do for a solution there is always a chance that there will be part failure as it can happen to an unmodified part. If you modify in any way, warrenty could be voided.
Need Feedback: Paragon lowering collars bent struts
