Knuckle/Spindle - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear wheel knuckle/spindle assembly on a 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo RWD, including disconnection of suspension components, brake assemblies, and wheel speed sensors.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel knuckle/spindle assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Wheel hub bearing (if integrated) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Ball joint cotter pin × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Brake rotor mounting screws (if equipped) × 2 — M6 x 1.0 x 10mm
• Thread locker (medium strength) × 1 — Loctite 243 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
4. Remove rear wheel completely
5. Spray all fasteners with penetrating oil and allow 15 minutes to soak
6. Take photos of component orientation for reference during reassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper assembly
   Remove the two brake caliper mounting bolts. Carefully slide the caliper off the rotor without stressing the brake hose. Support the caliper using a wire hanger or caliper hanger attached to the suspension or chassis. Do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts28 Nm (21 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove brake rotor
   If equipped, remove the rotor retaining screws using an impact driver or manual screwdriver. If rotor is seized to the hub, tap the rotor from behind with a plastic mallet between the studs. Remove the rotor completely and set aside. Inspect rotor for wear if reusing.
3. 3

   Disconnect wheel speed sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor connector near the knuckle. Press the release tab and disconnect the electrical connector. Remove the sensor mounting bolt (typically 8mm or 10mm) and carefully extract the sensor from the knuckle bore. Note the routing of the sensor wire for reinstallation.
4. 4

   Disconnect sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar end link connection at the rear knuckle or control arm. Insert an Allen key into the shaft to prevent rotation while removing the retaining nut. Remove the nut completely and separate the link from the knuckle. If ball joint is seized, use penetrating oil and light taps with a mallet.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect lower ball joint
   Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut using a punch and side cutters. Remove the ball joint castle nut completely. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to separate the ball joint taper from the knuckle. Apply force carefully to avoid damaging the boot or threads. Once separated, support the lower control arm with a jack or stand.
   ⚠The lower control arm will drop once the ball joint is separated. Ensure it is supported to prevent injury or damage to brake lines and ABS wiring.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut92 Nm (68 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Disconnect upper control arm or strut connection
   Locate the upper strut-to-knuckle mounting bolts (typically two bolts in a clevis arrangement). Support the knuckle assembly with one hand or a jack. Remove both strut mounting bolts completely. The knuckle assembly will now be free to pivot downward.
   ⚠Support the knuckle assembly before removing the final bolt. The assembly is heavy and may contain the hub bearing, creating a drop hazard.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts121 Nm (89 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Disconnect rear control arm(s)
   Identify the rear control arm or toe link connection to the knuckle. Remove the mounting bolts connecting the control arm(s) to the knuckle. Note the orientation of any eccentric washers or camber adjustment hardware. Mark positions with paint pen if adjustable. The knuckle should now be free from the vehicle.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove knuckle and inspect
   Carefully remove the knuckle assembly from the vehicle. Inspect all mounting surfaces, threaded holes, and bearing bores for damage, corrosion, or wear. Clean all mating surfaces with a wire brush. If the wheel bearing is pressed into the knuckle, inspect for play, noise, or roughness. Replace bearing if any issues are detected.
9. 9

   Prepare new knuckle assembly
   Compare the new knuckle to the old unit to verify correct part. If wheel bearing is separate, press or install the new bearing into the knuckle bore per manufacturer specifications. Apply a thin layer of copper anti-seize to all bolt threads and mating surfaces (except ball joint taper). Install the wheel speed sensor into the new knuckle bore with a small amount of dielectric grease on the O-ring.
10. 10

    Install knuckle to strut
    Position the new knuckle assembly into place and align with the strut clevis mounting holes. Insert both strut mounting bolts and hand-tighten. Do not fully torque at this stage. Ensure the knuckle is properly seated against the strut bracket.
    Torque spec

    Strut Bolts121 Nm (89 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect control arms
    Align the rear control arm(s) with the knuckle mounting points. If eccentric adjusters or camber hardware were present, install them in the marked positions. Insert mounting bolts and hand-tighten only. These will be torqued with vehicle weight on wheels.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reconnect lower ball joint
    Raise the lower control arm into position and insert the ball joint stud into the knuckle taper. Install the castle nut and torque to specification. Align the castle nut slots with the ball joint stud hole and install a new cotter pin. Bend the cotter pin ends to secure.
    ⚠Always use a new cotter pin. Never reuse old cotter pins as they may fail and allow the nut to loosen.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut92 Nm (68 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect sway bar link and wheel speed sensor
    Connect the sway bar link to the knuckle or control arm mounting point. Hold the link shaft with an Allen key and torque the nut to specification. Reconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor electrical connector ensuring it clicks into place. Route the sensor wire in the original path and secure any retaining clips.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install brake rotor and caliper
    Clean the hub face with a wire brush. Install the brake rotor onto the hub, aligning the mounting screw holes if equipped. Install rotor screws with thread locker if applicable. Remove the caliper from the hanger and position over the rotor. Install caliper mounting bolts and torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts28 Nm (21 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Install wheel and perform initial torque
    Install the wheel onto the hub and hand-tighten all lug nuts. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the strut bolts to specification at this stage. Lower the vehicle completely to the ground.
    Torque spec

    Strut Bolts121 Nm (89 lb-ft)

    Wheel Lug Nuts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Final torque with vehicle weight on wheels
    With the vehicle on the ground and suspension at normal ride height, torque all control arm bolts to specification. This is critical for proper bushing life. Torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification. Pump the brake pedal several times to seat the caliper piston before moving the vehicle.
    ⚠️Control arm bolts must be torqued at normal ride height. Torquing with suspension hanging will preload bushings and cause premature failure.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

    Wheel Lug Nuts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners are properly torqued per specifications
2. Ensure the new cotter pin is properly installed and bent on the ball joint
3. Check that the ABS wheel speed sensor connector is fully seated and clicked into place
4. Verify brake caliper mounting bolts are secure and caliper moves freely on slide pins
5. Confirm no tools or parts were left in the wheel well area

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify no abnormal noises from the rear suspension
• Perform several moderate brake applications to verify proper brake function and no vibration
• Check for ABS warning lights on the instrument cluster, which would indicate a speed sensor issue
• Verify steering and handling feel normal with no pull or unusual characteristics
• Schedule a four-wheel alignment immediately, as suspension geometry has been disturbed
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque wheel lug nuts to specification and verify all suspension fasteners remain tight

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