Transmission R&R - Automatic

Complete removal and replacement of the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission on a 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo RWD, including driveline disconnection, crossmember removal, and transmission refill.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission mounting bolts (if thread damage present) × 6 — Use OEM specification
• Driveshaft mounting hardware × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Exhaust flange gaskets × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Flywheel bolts (if TTY type) × 8 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• ZF Lifeguard 8 — 10 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes for SRS system discharge
3. Remove engine cover and front underbody panels
4. Raise vehicle on lift to comfortable working height
5. Remove rear wheels to access exhaust components
6. Drain transmission fluid by removing drain plug with new crush washer ready
7. Install engine support fixture across engine bay to support engine weight
8. Mark driveshaft-to-differential flange orientation for reinstallation alignment

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove exhaust system components
   Disconnect exhaust at both catalytic converter flanges. Remove exhaust heat shields surrounding transmission. Unbolt and lower mid-pipe section to gain access to transmission bell housing and crossmember. Support exhaust with jack stands to prevent damage to hangers.
2. 2

   Disconnect driveshaft
   Remove four bolts securing driveshaft to transmission output flange. Mark alignment of driveshaft CV joint to flange with paint pen. Support driveshaft center bearing and remove mounting bolts. Carefully lower driveshaft and secure out of work area. Inspect CV joint boots for damage.
3. 3

   Disconnect electrical connections and shift linkage
   Disconnect transmission wiring harness connectors including speed sensors, solenoid pack connector, and temperature sensor. Remove electronic shift actuator connector. Disconnect transmission ground strap from bell housing. Remove mechanical shift cable bracket if equipped. Label all connections for reinstallation.
4. 4

   Remove transmission cooler lines and breather
   Place drain pan under transmission cooler line connections. Using line wrench, disconnect cooler supply and return lines at transmission. Cap open lines immediately to prevent contamination. Disconnect transmission breather hose from top of transmission case. Inspect lines for damage or cracking.
5. 5

   Remove torque converter access cover and starter
   Remove lower bell housing cover screws to access torque converter. Mark torque converter to flexplate relationship. Remove starter motor by disconnecting power cables and unbolting from bell housing. Rotate crankshaft using front crank bolt to access all torque converter to flexplate bolts through access window.
   Torque spec

   Cover Screws11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove torque converter to flexplate bolts
   Through access opening, remove all torque converter to flexplate bolts. There are typically 6-8 bolts requiring crankshaft rotation to access each one. Keep bolts organized as they may be TTY and require replacement. Push torque converter back into transmission bell housing to disengage from flexplate. Secure torque converter with safety wire or holding strap to prevent it from sliding out during removal.
   ⚠Torque converter contains residual fluid and weighs approximately 40 lbs. Secure to transmission before lowering.
   Torque spec

   Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Support transmission and remove crossmember
   Position transmission jack under transmission oil pan with wood block to distribute load. Raise jack until transmission weight is fully supported. Verify engine support fixture is properly loaded. Remove transmission crossmember mounting bolts on both frame rails. Carefully lower and remove crossmember from vehicle.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove transmission mounting bolts
   Remove all bell housing to engine block mounting bolts. There are typically 6-8 bolts of various lengths around bell housing perimeter. Note location of different length bolts and any ground straps. Remove upper bell housing bolts last. Verify all electrical connections, cooler lines, and mechanical linkages are disconnected before proceeding.
   ⚠️Ensure transmission jack is stable and transmission is securely fastened before removing final mounting bolts.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Separate transmission from engine
   Carefully slide transmission rearward on jack, ensuring torque converter remains fully seated in transmission. Transmission must move straight back approximately 2-3 inches to clear alignment dowels. Guide transmission clear of engine compartment components while lowering jack. Tilt transmission slightly nose-up to clear body and suspension components. Have second technician guide transmission during removal.
10. 10

    Inspect and prepare replacement transmission
    Inspect flexplate for cracks, hot spots, or damaged ring gear teeth. Verify torque converter is fully seated in replacement transmission by measuring depth from bell housing face to converter lugs (should be minimum 10mm recessed). Apply small amount of high-temp grease to torque converter pilot hub. Verify all transmission mounting surfaces are clean and free of old gasket material.
11. 11

    Install transmission to engine
    Raise transmission on jack to alignment height. Ensure torque converter remains fully seated and rotates freely. Align transmission with engine block dowel pins. Carefully slide transmission forward, rotating torque converter as needed to engage splines. Transmission should slide forward smoothly without forcing. Once bell housing contacts engine block, install mounting bolts finger tight.
12. 12

    Torque mounting bolts and install crossmember
    Torque all bell housing to engine block mounting bolts to specification in star pattern sequence. Raise transmission jack to align crossmember mounting points. Install crossmember and torque mounting bolts to specification. Verify transmission alignment before removing transmission jack support.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install torque converter to flexplate
    Rotate crankshaft to access torque converter bolt holes through access window. Install new or existing flywheel bolts (verify if TTY type requiring replacement) and torque in star pattern sequence to specification. Apply threadlocker to bolts if specified by manufacturer. Verify all bolts are tight and torque converter does not move when rotated.
    Torque spec

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reconnect all components
    Install starter motor and connect power cables. Install bell housing access cover and torque cover screws to specification. Reconnect transmission cooler lines and torque fittings properly. Reconnect all electrical connectors, shift linkage, and ground straps. Install driveshaft aligning marks made during disassembly. Install exhaust system with new gaskets.
    Torque spec

    Cover Screws11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Fill transmission and perform initial checks
    Using fluid pump, fill transmission with 10 quarts ZF Lifeguard 8 fluid through fill plug hole. Install fill plug with new washer and torque to specification. Reconnect battery. Start engine and verify no leaks at cooler lines, drain plug, or pan. Cycle through all gear positions with brake applied. Using ZF scan tool, verify fluid temperature reaches 30-50°C, then check fluid level and top off as needed through fill plug. Road test vehicle and verify all gears engage properly.
    ⚠Transmission fluid level can only be accurately checked with scan tool monitoring fluid temperature between 30-50°C.
    Torque spec

    Fill Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

    Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Install all underbody panels and engine covers removed during disassembly
2. Install rear wheels and torque lug nuts to specification
3. Clear any diagnostic trouble codes stored during battery disconnect
4. Perform transmission adaptation reset procedure using factory scan tool
5. Verify proper operation of all transmission functions including manual mode and sport mode

Verification

• Start engine and verify smooth engagement into all gear positions with no harsh shifts or slipping
• Check for any fluid leaks around transmission pan, cooler lines, drain plug, and fill plug after 10 minute idle
• Test drive vehicle through all gears under normal and moderate acceleration to verify proper shift points
• Using scan tool, verify transmission fluid temperature stabilizes and no fault codes are present
• Verify speedometer operation and reverse camera function properly
• Check transmission fluid level again after test drive with fluid at operating temperature (30-50°C)
• Inspect all exhaust connections for leaks and proper ground clearance

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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