Radius Arm Bushing

Replace the front radius arm bushings on a 2017 Maserati Levante, requiring suspension disassembly and specialized bushing removal/installation tools.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Radius arm bushing kit (front) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Ball joint cotter pin × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at designated lift points
4. Remove both front wheels
5. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 15 minutes
6. Mark or photograph suspension component positions for reassembly reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar link
   Locate the front sway bar link connection at the lower control arm. Use a 6mm Allen key to hold the shaft while loosening the link nut with appropriate socket. Remove the sway bar link from the control arm completely to gain clearance for radius arm removal.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove ball joint from knuckle
   Remove the cotter pin from the lower ball joint castle nut. Using a 24mm socket, loosen and remove the ball joint nut. Insert a ball joint separator tool between the control arm and steering knuckle. Strike the separator with a hammer or use a pickle fork to break the taper. Remove the ball joint from the knuckle. Discard the old cotter pin.
   ⚠Do not strike the ball joint stud directly as this can damage the threads or joint.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut92 Nm (68 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Detach strut from knuckle
   Locate the two strut-to-knuckle pinch bolts on the steering knuckle. Using a 19mm socket and breaker bar, remove both strut mounting bolts. Pull the knuckle assembly away from the strut to separate. Support the knuckle assembly to prevent stress on the CV axle and brake line.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts121 Nm (89 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove control arm mounting bolts
   Support the lower control arm with a floor jack to maintain position. Locate the front and rear control arm mounting bolts at the chassis mounting points. Using a 21mm socket, remove the rear control arm bolt first, then the front bolt. Carefully lower the control arm assembly and remove from vehicle. The radius arm is integral to the control arm on this vehicle.
   ⚠Support control arm during removal to prevent sudden drop which could cause injury or damage brake lines.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Inspect and clean radius arm
   With the control arm removed, thoroughly inspect the radius arm and mounting areas for damage, cracks, or excessive wear. Clean the bushing mounting bore areas with a wire brush, removing all rust, dirt, and old bushing material. Inspect the radius arm for any structural damage that would require complete arm replacement.
6. 6

   Remove old radius arm bushings
   Position the control arm in a hydraulic press or secure arbor press. Using appropriate bushing removal tools sized for the Maserati Levante bushings, press out the old bushings from both the front and rear mounting points of the radius arm. Apply steady pressure and ensure the tool is properly aligned to prevent damage to the control arm bore. Remove any remaining bushing material or corrosion from the bore.
   ⚠Ensure press tool is centered and aligned to prevent damage to control arm bore. Misalignment can ruin the control arm.
7. 7

   Install new radius arm bushings
   Apply a thin film of soapy water or bushing lubricant to the outer sleeve of the new bushings (do not use petroleum-based lubricants). Position the new bushing at the bore opening, ensuring proper orientation per manufacturer markings. Using the hydraulic press and installation tools, press the new bushings into place until fully seated and flush with the control arm bore. Verify bushings are centered and properly seated before removing from press.
8. 8

   Reinstall control arm assembly
   Position the control arm with new bushings back into the vehicle chassis mounting points. Insert but do not fully tighten the front and rear control arm bolts. Leave bolts finger-tight plus 2-3 turns to maintain position but allow for suspension settling. Support the control arm with a floor jack.
9. 9

   Reconnect strut to knuckle
   Align the steering knuckle with the strut mounting bracket. Insert both strut-to-knuckle pinch bolts and tighten to specification using a torque wrench. Ensure the knuckle is fully seated in the strut bracket before torquing.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts121 Nm (89 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect ball joint
    Position the lower ball joint stud into the steering knuckle taper. Thread on a new castle nut and torque to specification. Align the castle nut slots with the ball joint stud hole. Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut and stud, then bend the ends to secure.
    ⚠Never loosen castle nut to align cotter pin hole. If slots do not align at proper torque, tighten further to next slot alignment.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut92 Nm (68 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Attach the sway bar link to the lower control arm mounting point. Thread on the link nut, then use a 6mm Allen key to hold the shaft while torquing the nut to specification with a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install wheels and lower vehicle
    Install both front wheels and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground but suspension is not fully loaded. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Then fully lower the vehicle to the ground so full vehicle weight is on the suspension.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Final torque control arm bolts
    With the vehicle at normal ride height and full weight on the suspension, torque the front and rear control arm mounting bolts to final specification. This critical step must be performed with vehicle weight on wheels to ensure bushings are in their neutral position and prevent premature bushing failure.
    ⚠️Control arm bolts MUST be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension. Failure to do so will cause immediate bushing failure.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat all steps for opposite side if replacing both radius arm bushings
2. Perform final torque verification on all suspension fasteners
3. Rock vehicle side-to-side to settle suspension before final inspection

Verification

• Verify all suspension fasteners are torqued to specification with vehicle weight on wheels
• Confirm new cotter pins are properly installed and bent on ball joint castle nuts
• Check for proper wheel alignment and steering centering
• Schedule professional wheel alignment immediately after this repair
• Test drive vehicle at low speed to verify no abnormal noises or handling issues
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after 50 miles of driving

More procedures for this vehicle