Pilot Bearing

Replace the pilot bearing in a 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo by removing the transmission, transfer case, and clutch assembly to access the bearing pressed into the crankshaft.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Pilot bearing × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission fluid × 1 — ZF Lifeguard 8
• Rear differential fluid × 1 — 75W-140 Synthetic
• Clutch kit (if worn) × 1 — Inspect and replace if necessary
• Transmission mounting hardware (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• ZF Lifeguard 8 — 10 qt
• 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Oil — 2 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure vehicle is on level surface and secure with wheel chocks
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 15 minutes
3. Raise vehicle on lift or secure on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
4. Remove engine undertray and transmission heat shields
5. Place drain pan under transmission and rear differential
6. Allow exhaust system to cool completely if vehicle was recently driven

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove exhaust system components
   Disconnect exhaust system at front catalytic converter flanges. Support exhaust with jack or hangers and remove mid-pipes and rear muffler sections as needed to provide clearance for transmission removal. On RWD models, complete exhaust removal from catalytic converters back is recommended.
2. 2

   Drain transmission and rear differential
   Locate transmission drain plug on bottom of transmission pan and drain fluid completely into appropriate container. Locate rear differential drain plug and drain gear oil. Allow adequate time for complete drainage (15-20 minutes).
3. 3

   Remove driveshaft
   Mark alignment of driveshaft to transmission output flange and rear differential pinion flange with paint or marker. Remove driveshaft mounting bolts at both ends. Support driveshaft center bearing if equipped. Carefully slide driveshaft rearward and remove from vehicle. Cap transmission output to prevent fluid leakage.
4. 4

   Disconnect transmission electrical connections and linkages
   Disconnect transmission wiring harness connectors including vehicle speed sensor, shift solenoids, and transmission range sensor. Disconnect shift linkage at transmission selector lever. Remove any ground straps attached to transmission bell housing. Label all connections for reassembly reference.
5. 5

   Remove transmission crossmember and mounts
   Support transmission securely with transmission jack positioned at transmission pan rails. Remove transmission crossmember mounting bolts connecting to frame rails. Remove transmission mount-to-transmission bolts. Carefully lower transmission slightly to create working clearance but maintain support.
6. 6

   Disconnect clutch hydraulic line
   Locate clutch slave cylinder on transmission bell housing. Disconnect hydraulic line from slave cylinder using appropriate line wrench to prevent damage to fitting. Plug line to prevent fluid loss and contamination. Remove slave cylinder mounting bolts and set aside with line attached if possible.
7. 7

   Remove transmission-to-engine bell housing bolts
   Remove all bell housing bolts connecting transmission to engine block. There are typically 6-8 bolts of varying lengths around the perimeter. Note bolt locations and lengths for reassembly. Ensure transmission is securely supported on jack before removing final bolts.
8. 8

   Remove transmission assembly
   With assistance, carefully slide transmission rearward away from engine, keeping transmission level and aligned with input shaft. Ensure input shaft clears clutch disc and pilot bearing without binding. Once clear of input shaft (approximately 6 inches of travel), lower transmission on jack and remove from under vehicle. Exercise extreme caution due to weight.
9. 9

   Remove clutch pressure plate and disc
   Using clutch alignment tool or marking position, note clutch disc orientation. Remove pressure plate bolts in cross pattern, loosening gradually to prevent warping. Remove pressure plate and clutch disc from flywheel. Inspect flywheel surface for heat damage, cracks, or excessive wear.
10. 10

    Extract pilot bearing
    Inspect pilot bearing in center of crankshaft for wear, roughness, or damage. Insert pilot bearing puller jaws or slide hammer internal puller behind bearing race. Apply steady pulling force to extract bearing from crankshaft bore. If bearing is seized, use penetrating oil and allow to soak before extraction. Alternatively, pack bearing cavity with grease and use appropriately sized rod to hydraulically force bearing out.
11. 11

    Clean and inspect crankshaft bore
    Clean crankshaft pilot bearing bore thoroughly with brake cleaner and wire brush. Remove all old grease, debris, and corrosion. Inspect bore for damage, scoring, or irregularities. Ensure bore is completely dry before new bearing installation. Check bore diameter if bearing fit was loose.
12. 12

    Install new pilot bearing
    Pack new pilot bearing with high-temperature bearing grease (do not over-pack as excess grease can be expelled onto clutch disc). Using pilot bearing installation tool or appropriately sized socket that contacts only outer bearing race, drive bearing squarely into crankshaft bore until fully seated. Bearing should be flush or slightly recessed per manufacturer specification. Ensure bearing is not cocked or damaged during installation.
13. 13

    Install clutch disc and pressure plate
    Clean flywheel surface with brake cleaner. Position clutch disc on flywheel with proper orientation (longer hub side typically faces transmission). Insert clutch alignment tool through clutch disc into pilot bearing to center disc. Position pressure plate over clutch disc and start all bolts finger-tight. Tighten pressure plate bolts gradually in cross pattern to manufacturer specification. Remove alignment tool only after pressure plate is fully secured.
14. 14

    Reinstall transmission assembly
    Apply small amount of high-temperature grease to transmission input shaft splines (do not use excessive grease). Position transmission on jack and raise into position. Insert clutch alignment tool if needed to guide input shaft. Carefully align transmission with engine and slide forward, ensuring input shaft enters clutch disc hub and pilot bearing smoothly. Install all bell housing bolts and tighten in cross pattern. Reconnect slave cylinder and hydraulic line.
15. 15

    Complete reassembly and fill fluids
    Reinstall transmission crossmember and mounts. Reconnect all electrical connections and shift linkage. Install driveshaft aligning marks made during disassembly. Reinstall exhaust system components. Fill transmission with ZF Lifeguard 8 fluid to proper level using fluid pump through fill hole. Fill rear differential with 75W-140 synthetic gear oil to proper level. Reinstall undertray and heat shields.

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to manufacturer specifications when available; use standard torque values for grade of fasteners when specs not available
2. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
3. Verify driveshaft alignment marks are properly matched to prevent vibration
4. Double-check that all fluid levels are correct before lowering vehicle
5. Verify clutch hydraulic system is properly bled and has no leaks

Verification

• Reconnect battery and start engine, verify no warning lights related to transmission
• With engine running and vehicle stationary, depress clutch pedal and verify smooth engagement without grinding or excessive effort
• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth clutch engagement and disengagement through all gears
• Check for fluid leaks around transmission, slave cylinder, and rear differential after test drive
• Verify no unusual noises from clutch area during engagement/disengagement
• Confirm no vibration from driveshaft at various speeds

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