Ball Joint - Lower

Replace the lower ball joint on the front suspension of a 2017 Maserati Levante, including removal of the control arm and installation of a new ball joint assembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Lower ball joint × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Pinch bolt (new) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Cotter pin × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Control arm bolts (if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-designated lift points
5. Remove front wheel on side being serviced
6. Spray all fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 15 minutes
7. Take reference photos of suspension assembly for reassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar link connecting to the lower control arm. Using an Allen key to hold the shaft, remove the sway bar link nut. Disconnect the link from the control arm and support it with wire or zip ties to prevent damage.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove pinch bolt from steering knuckle
   Locate the pinch bolt securing the ball joint to the steering knuckle at the bottom of the knuckle assembly. Remove and discard this bolt as a new one must be installed. Note the orientation of the bolt for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Pinch Bolt64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Separate ball joint from steering knuckle
   Using a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork, carefully separate the lower ball joint taper from the steering knuckle. Work the tool into the joint slowly to avoid damaging the knuckle. Once separated, support the knuckle assembly to prevent damage to brake lines or ABS sensors.
   ⚠Do not damage the steering knuckle bore or threads during separation. This will require replacement of the knuckle.
4. 4

   Support lower control arm
   Place a floor jack under the lower control arm to support its weight. Raise slightly to take tension off the control arm mounting bolts. This prevents the arm from dropping suddenly when bolts are removed.
   ⚠Control arm may have stored energy from suspension compression. Support weight carefully.
5. 5

   Remove control arm mounting bolts
   Locate the two control arm mounting bolts at the subframe. Remove both bolts completely using a breaker bar if necessary. Slowly lower the jack to allow the control arm to drop away from the subframe. Remove the control arm from the vehicle.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Press out old ball joint
   Secure the control arm in a vice or on a workbench. Using a ball joint press or hydraulic press with appropriate adapters, press the old ball joint out of the control arm. Ensure the press is centered on the ball joint to avoid damaging the control arm bore. Apply steady pressure until the joint is completely removed.
   ⚠Use correct size press adapters to support control arm properly and avoid deformation.
7. 7

   Clean control arm bore
   Thoroughly clean the ball joint bore in the control arm using a wire brush and suitable cleaner. Remove all corrosion, dirt, and old material. Inspect the bore for damage or deformation. If the bore is damaged, the control arm must be replaced.
   ℹ️Any scoring or damage to the ball joint bore may prevent proper seating of the new ball joint.
8. 8

   Press in new ball joint
   Position the new ball joint in the control arm bore with correct orientation (stud pointing down). Using the ball joint press with appropriate adapters, press the new ball joint into the control arm. Apply steady, even pressure until the ball joint is fully seated and bottomed in the bore. Verify proper seating by checking that the ball joint shoulder is flush with the control arm surface.
   ⚠Do not press on the ball joint stud. Press only on the outer housing to avoid damaging the internal components.
9. 9

   Install control arm to subframe
   Position the control arm back into the subframe mounting location. Insert the control arm bolts but do not fully tighten yet. Thread bolts in by hand initially to ensure proper alignment. Snug bolts to hold control arm in position but leave final torque for after vehicle is lowered.
   ℹ️Control arm bolts must be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension at normal ride height.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Connect ball joint to steering knuckle
    Raise the control arm with a floor jack to align the ball joint stud with the steering knuckle. Insert the ball joint stud into the knuckle taper. Install the NEW pinch bolt through the knuckle and torque to specification. Ensure the bolt is properly seated and the taper is fully engaged.
    Torque spec

    Pinch Bolt64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install ball joint castle nut
    Thread the castle nut onto the ball joint stud and torque to specification. Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut and stud. Bend the cotter pin ends to secure properly. If the cotter pin holes do not align, tighten the nut slightly more (never loosen) until the next slot aligns with the hole.
    ⚠Never loosen castle nut to align cotter pin hole. Only tighten to next alignment position.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut92 Nm (68 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Reconnect the sway bar link to the lower control arm. Using an Allen key to hold the shaft steady, install and torque the sway bar link nut to specification. Ensure the link moves freely without binding.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the wheel and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground but the suspension is still unloaded. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Then fully lower the vehicle to the ground.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Final torque control arm bolts
    With the vehicle at normal ride height and weight on the suspension, torque the control arm mounting bolts to final specification. This is critical to prevent premature bushing failure. If necessary, raise vehicle slightly to access bolts, but ensure suspension is loaded to ride height position.
    ⚠Control arm bolts must be torqued at ride height. Failure to do so will cause premature bushing wear and failure.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners are tightened to proper torque specifications
2. Ensure cotter pin is properly installed and bent
3. Check that all suspension components move freely without binding
4. Remove all tools and equipment from under vehicle

Verification

• Perform visual inspection of all connections and fasteners
• Verify ball joint moves smoothly without excessive play
• Test steering for full range of motion without binding
• Drive vehicle at low speed in safe area and verify no abnormal noises or handling issues
• Have professional wheel alignment performed immediately - suspension geometry has been altered
• After 50-100 miles, re-check torque on all fasteners

More procedures for this vehicle