Rear Shocks - Pair

Replace both rear shock absorbers on a 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo RWD, including removal of upper and lower mounting hardware and torquing to specification.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear shock absorber (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent Bilstein/Sachs unit
• Rear shock absorber (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent Bilstein/Sachs unit

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground, but do not remove
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at designated jacking points
5. Support vehicle with jack stands under frame rails behind rear axle
6. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside
7. Inspect shock absorbers for leak points and mounting bolt condition
8. Apply penetrating lubricant to shock mounting bolts if corrosion is present

Procedure

1. 1

   Support rear suspension
   Position a floor jack under the rear lower control arm on the driver side, close to the shock mount location. Raise jack until it just contacts the control arm with slight upward pressure to support suspension weight. This prevents the suspension from dropping when shock is removed.
2. 2

   Access upper shock mounting
   From inside the cargo area, fold down or remove the rear seat back cushion if necessary to access the shock tower area. Locate the carpet-covered access panel above the shock tower. Peel back carpet and remove the plastic access cover to expose the upper shock mounting nuts.
3. 3

   Remove upper shock mounting nuts
   Using a 13mm socket, remove the two upper shock tower nuts securing the shock to the body. Hold the shock rod with your hand to prevent rotation if necessary. Do not allow the shock to drop once the nuts are removed.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove lower shock mounting bolt
   From under the vehicle, locate the lower shock mounting bolt that secures the shock to the lower control arm or knuckle assembly. Using an 18mm socket and breaker bar, remove the lower mounting bolt completely. Support the shock as you remove the bolt to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts121 Nm (89 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove driver side shock
   Carefully lower the shock assembly downward through the lower control arm area and remove it from the vehicle. Inspect the mounting bushings and hardware for wear or damage. Compare the new shock with the old unit to verify correct replacement part.
6. 6

   Install new driver side shock - lower mount
   Position the new shock assembly into place, inserting the upper mount studs through the shock tower first. Align the lower shock mount with the control arm mounting point. Insert the lower mounting bolt and hand-tighten only at this stage. Ensure shock is properly seated in both upper and lower mounts.
7. 7

   Install driver side upper mounting nuts
   From inside the cargo area, install the two upper shock tower nuts onto the shock studs. Torque the nuts to 50 Nm (37 lb-ft) in a crossing pattern to ensure even seating. Verify the shock upper mount is fully seated against the body.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Torque driver side lower mounting bolt
   Using a torque wrench with 18mm socket, torque the lower shock mounting bolt to 121 Nm (89 lb-ft). Ensure the jack is still supporting the control arm at normal ride height position during torquing.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts121 Nm (89 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Repeat for passenger side shock
   Move the floor jack to support the passenger side rear lower control arm. Repeat steps 2 through 8 for the passenger side shock absorber, following the same removal and installation sequence. Ensure all mounting points are clean and hardware is properly seated.
10. 10

    Install wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall both rear wheels, threading lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Lower vehicle until wheels just touch the ground but most weight is still on jack stands. Torque wheel lug nuts to 142 Nm (105 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Final torque verification
    With vehicle weight fully on the ground, perform a final verification of all torque specifications. Re-check wheel lug nuts after 50-100 miles of driving. Reinstall cargo area access covers and carpet.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall all cargo area trim panels and access covers removed during upper shock access
2. Ensure carpet is properly positioned and secured
3. Verify no tools or hardware were left in the cargo or wheel well areas

Verification

• Start vehicle and turn steering wheel lock to lock to verify no interference with new shocks
• Perform a test drive at low speed over small bumps to verify proper shock operation and no unusual noises
• Listen for any rattling or clunking from rear suspension indicating loose hardware
• Check for fluid leaks around shock body after test drive
• Verify rear ride height appears level and consistent side to side
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts to 142 Nm (105 lb-ft) after 50-100 miles of driving

More procedures for this vehicle