Brake Pads - Front

Replace the front brake pads on a 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo RWD, including caliper service and proper torque specifications for this high-performance braking system.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front brake pad set (4 pads total) × 1 — Use OEM Brembo or equivalent high-performance pads
• Brake pad wear sensors (if equipped) × 2 — Check existing sensors for damage
• Brake caliper slide pin boots (if damaged) × 2 — Inspect during service

Fluids

• DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid — 0.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake firmly
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on the ground (do not remove)
3. Lift front of vehicle using proper jacking points and secure with jack stands rated for vehicle weight
4. Remove front wheels completely and set aside in safe location
5. Open brake fluid reservoir cap slightly to allow fluid displacement when compressing pistons
6. Remove some brake fluid from reservoir using turkey baster if level is near MAX line (prevents overflow)
7. Inspect brake rotors for excessive wear, scoring, or heat damage while pads are accessible

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the lower and upper caliper slide pin bolts on the rear of the caliper (7mm hex head). Clean around the bolts with brake cleaner. Remove both slide pin bolts and retain them for reinstallation. Support the caliper to prevent it from hanging by the brake hose.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Pivot caliper upward
   Carefully pivot the brake caliper upward away from the rotor. The caliper will remain attached via the brake hose. Secure the caliper to the suspension or strut using a bungee cord or wire - never let it hang by the brake hose as this can damage the hose internally.
   ⚠Do not twist or kink the brake hose. Damage to brake hoses can cause catastrophic brake failure.
3. 3

   Remove old brake pads and hardware
   Remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket. Note the position of any anti-rattle clips, shims, or wear sensors. If equipped with electronic wear sensors, carefully disconnect the sensor wiring and remove the sensors from the old pads. Inspect all hardware for damage or excessive wear.
   ℹ️Take photos before disassembly to ensure correct reassembly of brake pad hardware and sensors.
4. 4

   Clean caliper bracket and inspect components
   Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to thoroughly clean the caliper bracket, especially the pad slide areas where the pads contact the bracket. Remove all rust, debris, and old grease. Inspect the caliper slide pins for damage, corrosion, or torn boots. Clean the slide pins with brake cleaner.
   ⚠Replace any torn or damaged slide pin boots immediately. Contaminated slide pins cause uneven pad wear and reduced braking performance.
5. 5

   Compress caliper pistons
   Using a brake caliper wind-back tool or large C-clamp, slowly compress the caliper pistons fully into their bores. The Levante has twin-piston or quad-piston front calipers - compress all pistons evenly. Watch the brake fluid reservoir and ensure it does not overflow. Clean the piston faces and inspect piston boots for damage.
   ⚠If pistons are difficult to compress or piston boots are torn, the caliper requires rebuilding or replacement before proceeding.
6. 6

   Apply lubrication to slide pins and hardware
   Apply a thin layer of high-temperature silicone brake grease to the caliper slide pins (both the pin shaft and inside the rubber boots). Apply a small amount of grease to the pad slide areas on the caliper bracket where the pad backing plates contact the bracket. Do not get grease on the rotor or pad friction material.
   ⚠Use only silicone-based brake grease. Never use petroleum-based lubricants which will damage rubber components.
7. 7

   Install new brake pads and hardware
   Install any anti-rattle clips or shims onto the new brake pads per manufacturer instructions. If equipped with wear sensors, install new sensors into the designated pad (typically inner pad). Install the new brake pads into the caliper bracket, ensuring they are properly seated in the mounting hardware. Verify the pads move freely in the bracket.
   ℹ️Ensure wear sensor wiring is routed correctly and will not contact the rotor or wheel during operation.
8. 8

   Reinstall and secure caliper
   Carefully lower the caliper back down over the new brake pads and align with the slide pin bolt holes. Insert both caliper slide pin bolts by hand, ensuring they thread smoothly. Torque the slide pin bolts to specification using a torque wrench. Reconnect any wear sensor wiring to the vehicle harness.
   ⚠Cross-threaded slide pin bolts can cause caliper failure. If bolts do not thread easily, remove and inspect threads.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Repeat for opposite side
   Perform steps 1-8 on the opposite front wheel. It is essential to replace brake pads on both front wheels simultaneously to maintain balanced braking performance. Ensure both sides receive identical parts and procedures.
10. 10

    Reinstall wheels
    Clean the wheel hub face and wheel mounting surface with a wire brush. Install the wheels and thread all lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the wheels just touch the ground but do not carry full weight. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench.
    ⚠️Improperly torqued lug nuts can cause wheel separation while driving. Always use a calibrated torque wrench and star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Check brake fluid level and pedal feel
    Lower the vehicle completely and remove jack stands. With the engine OFF, pump the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it becomes firm - this repositions the caliper pistons against the new pads. Check the brake fluid reservoir and top off with fresh DOT 4 Racing brake fluid if needed to bring level to MAX mark. Reinstall reservoir cap securely.
    ⚠️Do not drive the vehicle until brake pedal is firm and has been verified through multiple pumps. Air in the system or improperly installed components will cause brake failure.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all caliper slide pin bolts are torqued to specification and properly lubricated
2. Verify wear sensor wiring is connected and routed away from rotating components
3. Confirm brake fluid level is at MAX mark with fresh DOT 4 Racing fluid
4. Double-check all lug nuts are torqued to 140 Nm in star pattern

Verification

• With engine running, pump brakes several times and verify firm, consistent pedal feel with no excessive travel
• Start engine and verify brake warning lights are off and no fault codes are present
• Test brakes at low speed (under 10 mph) in a safe area to confirm proper operation before normal driving
• Perform proper pad bedding procedure: 10-15 moderate stops from 40-50 mph with cooldown between sets to transfer pad material to rotors
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque wheel lug nuts to specification and inspect for any brake fluid leaks around calipers
• Monitor brake performance during first 200 miles of driving and listen for any unusual noises
• Verify no brake fluid leaks develop at calipers or reservoir over the first week of operation

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