Coil Springs - Front Pair

Replace both front coil springs on a 2017 Maserati Levante with 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo. This procedure requires compressing the springs and removing the front strut assemblies.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front coil spring - left × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Front coil spring - right × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Upper strut mount bearing/isolator × 2 — Inspect and replace if worn
• Ball joint cotter pin × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Control arm mounting bolts (if corroded) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise front of vehicle using floor jack at designated lift points
4. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at frame reinforcement points
5. Remove both front wheels completely
6. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes
7. Photograph or document suspension component positions and routing of brake lines and ABS sensors for reassembly reference
8. Place additional jack stand under vehicle center for added stability

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar end links
   Locate the sway bar end links connecting the front sway bar to the lower control arms. Hold the ball stud shaft with an Allen key to prevent rotation, then remove the upper nut connecting the link to the strut assembly. If link is seized or damaged, remove lower connection instead. Swing sway bar out of the way.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove brake caliper and secure aside
   Remove brake caliper mounting bolts and carefully lift caliper off the rotor. Do not let caliper hang by the brake hose. Use wire or a bungee cord to secure caliper to the vehicle frame or upper suspension, keeping brake hose free of tension and away from moving parts.
   ⚠Do not depress brake pedal while caliper is removed or brake system will need bleeding.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts28 Nm (21 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Disconnect lower ball joint from knuckle
   Remove the cotter pin from the lower ball joint nut and discard. Using a wrench, loosen and remove the ball joint castle nut. Use a ball joint separator tool to press the ball joint taper out of the steering knuckle. Do not strike suspension components with a hammer as this may damage sensors or bearings.
   ⚠The ball joint taper is under load. Use proper separator tool to avoid sudden release when taper breaks free.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut92 Nm (68 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Disconnect ABS sensor and brake line brackets
   Carefully disconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor connector from the strut or knuckle. Remove any brake line mounting brackets or clips attached to the strut body. Note routing for reassembly. Allow brake line and ABS wiring to hang freely without tension.
5. 5

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two large bolts connecting the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. Support the knuckle and rotor assembly with one hand or a jack. Remove both strut-to-knuckle bolts completely. The knuckle will now separate from the strut. Allow knuckle to pivot downward, being mindful of CV axle angle.
   ⚠Strut assembly is heavy and may drop suddenly when bolts are removed. Maintain control of components.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts121 Nm (89 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove strut tower mounting nuts
   Open the hood and locate the three strut tower mounting nuts inside the engine bay. They are typically covered by a plastic cap or visible directly. Remove all three nuts while supporting the strut assembly from below. Carefully lower the strut assembly out through the wheel well. Repeat for second side.
   ⚠️Have a helper support the strut from below or use a jack. The strut assembly will fall when the last nut is removed.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Compress coil spring with spring compressor
   Place the strut assembly in a secure vice or on a stable work surface. Install spring compressor tools on opposite sides of the coil spring (180 degrees apart), ensuring compressor hooks engage at least 3 full coils. Alternately tighten each compressor evenly, compressing the spring until all tension is removed from the upper strut mount. Spring should compress approximately 2-3 inches. Verify spring can rotate freely on strut indicating no load on mount.
   ⚠️Use only high-quality spring compressors rated for vehicle coil springs. Cheap compressors can slip or fail catastrophically. Ensure compressor threads are fully engaged and check tightness frequently.
   ⚠️Keep face and body clear of spring path during compression. Wear safety glasses and work slowly.
8. 8

   Remove strut shaft nut and disassemble
   Hold the strut shaft with a wrench or Allen key to prevent rotation. Remove the upper strut shaft nut. Carefully remove the upper strut mount, bearing plate, and upper spring isolator. Note the orientation and order of all components. With spring compressors still in place, slide the compressed spring off the strut body. Inspect upper mount bearing for wear, roughness, or binding.
   ⚠️Do not remove spring compressors yet. Spring is still under significant tension.
9. 9

   Install new coil spring
   Carefully release spring compressors from old spring and install them on the new spring in the same positions. Compress new spring to the same approximate length as the old compressed spring. Slide new compressed spring onto strut body, aligning spring end with the lower spring seat pocket. Ensure spring seats fully in the lower perch with proper orientation (spring end must engage locating tab if present).
10. 10

    Reassemble strut mount and upper components
    Install the upper spring isolator, bearing plate, and upper strut mount in the correct order and orientation as removed. Ensure strut mount alignment matches original position (typically indexed with a locating feature). Thread on the new strut shaft nut and tighten to specification while holding the shaft from rotating. Slowly and evenly release spring compressor tension, alternating between compressors. Verify spring seats properly in both upper and lower perches as tension is released.
    ⚠Release spring compressors very slowly and watch for spring alignment. If spring appears to shift or misalign, re-compress and reposition.
11. 11

    Install strut assembly back into vehicle
    Lift the assembled strut up through the wheel well and align the three upper mounting studs with the holes in the strut tower. Install the three upper nuts finger-tight. Guide the lower strut body into position at the steering knuckle. Install both strut-to-knuckle bolts and tighten to specification. Then torque the three upper strut tower nuts to specification.
    Torque spec

    Strut Bolts121 Nm (89 lb-ft)

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reconnect ball joint and suspension components
    Lift the lower control arm ball joint into the steering knuckle taper. Install a new ball joint castle nut and torque to specification. Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut and ball joint stud, bending ends to secure. Reconnect the sway bar end link to the strut and torque nut to specification while holding the ball stud shaft with an Allen key.
    ⚠Always use a new cotter pin. Never reuse old cotter pins on safety-critical suspension components.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut92 Nm (68 lb-ft)

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

    Reinstall brake components and sensors
    Reinstall all brake line brackets and clips to the strut body. Reconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor connector, ensuring it clicks fully into place. Reinstall the brake caliper over the rotor and torque mounting bolts to specification. Verify brake hose has no kinks or tension.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts28 Nm (21 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Repeat procedure for opposite side
    Complete all steps 1-13 for the opposite front coil spring. Ensure both springs are the same part number and rated identically for proper vehicle balance and handling.
15. 15

    Install wheels and perform final torque
    Reinstall both front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower vehicle until wheels just contact the ground but suspension is not fully loaded. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely to the ground. Torque all wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. With vehicle weight fully on wheels at normal ride height, torque all control arm mounting bolts to specification if they were loosened during the procedure.
    ⚠Control arm bolts must be torqued at normal ride height with vehicle weight on suspension, not with suspension hanging.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners have been properly torqued to specification
2. Check that all brake line brackets and ABS sensor connectors are secured
3. Verify cotter pins are installed and properly bent on all ball joint nuts
4. Pump brake pedal several times to verify firm pedal before moving vehicle
5. Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area to verify proper operation before returning to service

Verification

• Visually inspect both coil springs to ensure they are fully seated in upper and lower spring perches with no gaps or misalignment
• Check that vehicle sits level side-to-side at normal ride height
• Verify no suspension noise or clunking when bouncing vehicle
• Confirm brake pedal is firm and brake operation is normal
• Schedule a professional four-wheel alignment immediately - suspension geometry has been altered and tire wear or handling problems will occur without proper alignment
• Road test vehicle and verify normal handling, no pulling, and no unusual noises from front suspension during turns and bumps
• Recheck all torque specifications after 50-100 miles of driving

More procedures for this vehicle