suspension

Shock Absorber Replacement

for 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo · AWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

2.5 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

Complete procedure for replacing front and/or rear shock absorbers on a 2017 Maserati Levante with 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine, including removal, installation, and torque specifications.

Warnings

⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use properly rated jack stands on solid ground.

⚠Suspension components are under tension even when vehicle is raised. Use caution when removing fasteners.

⚠Do not reuse self-locking nuts. Always install new self-locking nuts on upper shock mounts.

ℹ️This procedure covers both front and rear shock replacement. Steps are similar for both axles with minor variations noted.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack stands rated for vehicle weightEssential

Torque wrench (30-120 Nm range)Essential

19mm socket and ratchetEssential

18mm socket and ratchetEssential

16mm wrenchEssential

Pry bar or suspension spreader tool

Wire brush

Penetrating lubricant

Pneumatic impact wrench

Parts

Front shock absorber assembly × 2 — Use OEM specification or Bilstein B4 equivalent
Rear shock absorber assembly × 2 — Use OEM specification or Bilstein B4 equivalent
Self-locking upper mount nut M14 × 4 — OEM Maserati part required

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
Raise vehicle using floor jack at designated lift points and secure on jack stands
Remove wheels and set aside safely
Spray all shock mounting bolts and nuts with penetrating lubricant and allow to soak for 10 minutes
Inspect shock absorbers for leaking fluid or physical damage to confirm replacement is necessary

Procedure

1
Access upper shock mount in engine bay or cargo area
For front shocks: Open hood and locate the upper shock mount tower near each front strut tower. Remove plastic trim cover if equipped by pulling upward gently. For rear shocks: Open rear hatch and fold down rear seats if necessary. Remove cargo area side trim panels to access upper shock mount nuts behind interior trim.
2
Support lower control arm
Position a floor jack with a wood block under the lower control arm near the shock mounting point. Raise jack just enough to support the weight of the control arm and take slight load off the shock absorber. Do not lift the entire suspension, just enough to prevent the control arm from dropping when shock is disconnected.
3
Remove upper shock mount fasteners
Using a 16mm wrench to hold the shock shaft from rotating, remove the upper mount nut with an 18mm socket. On Levante models, there is typically one central nut securing the shock to the body. Keep the shock shaft from spinning while removing the nut. Set aside the old self-locking nut for disposal as it will not be reused.
4
Remove lower shock mounting bolt
Locate the lower shock mounting bolt connecting the shock absorber to the lower control arm or rear suspension link. Use a 19mm socket to remove the lower mounting bolt completely. The bolt may be tight due to corrosion. If necessary, use an impact wrench or apply additional penetrating lubricant. Support the shock absorber as the bolt is removed to prevent it from falling.
5
Remove shock absorber from vehicle
With both upper and lower mounts disconnected, carefully guide the shock absorber out of its mounting position. For front shocks, remove downward through the lower control arm space. For rear shocks, remove from the rear suspension area. Inspect mounting bushings and hardware for wear or damage.
6
Prepare new shock absorber for installation
Unpack new shock absorber and verify it matches the original in length and mounting configuration. Extend and compress the shock several times to purge air from the unit and verify smooth operation. Inspect upper and lower mounting bushings to ensure they are properly seated. Have new self-locking upper mount nut ready for installation.
7
Install new shock absorber into position
Guide the new shock absorber into the mounting location, inserting the upper mount shaft through the body mounting hole first. For front shocks, feed from below through the control arm space. For rear shocks, position from the wheel well side. Align the lower mounting eye with the control arm or suspension link mounting point.
8
Install and torque upper mount nut
Thread the new self-locking nut onto the upper shock mount shaft by hand. Using a 16mm wrench to hold the shock shaft, torque the upper mount nut to specification using an 18mm socket and calibrated torque wrench. Ensure the shock shaft does not rotate during torquing to prevent internal damage.
Torque spec
Upper Mount Nut55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
9
Install and torque lower mounting bolt
Insert the lower mounting bolt through the control arm or suspension link and shock absorber eye. Ensure the bolt passes through cleanly without cross-threading. Thread the nut onto the bolt by hand first. With the vehicle weight still supported by the jack under the control arm at normal ride height position, torque the lower mounting bolt to specification.
Torque spec
Lower Mount Bolt90 Nm (66 lb-ft)
10
Verify installation and remove jack support
Double-check that both upper and lower mounting fasteners are properly torqued and secure. Verify the shock absorber moves freely without binding and is not twisted in its mounts. Carefully lower and remove the floor jack from under the control arm. Check that no tools or parts were left in the suspension area.
11
Repeat procedure for remaining shock absorbers
Follow steps 2 through 10 for each remaining shock absorber that requires replacement. It is recommended to replace shock absorbers in axle pairs (both fronts or both rears) to maintain balanced suspension performance and handling characteristics.

Reassembly

Reinstall all interior trim panels and covers removed for access to upper shock mounts
Reinstall wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern
Lower vehicle from jack stands to the ground
Torque wheel lug nuts to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft) in a star pattern with vehicle on ground
Replace any plastic trim covers removed from shock towers in engine bay

Verification

Bounce each corner of the vehicle several times and verify shock absorbers dampen movement within 1-2 oscillations
Inspect all mounting points for proper installation and torque specifications
Test drive vehicle at various speeds and over different road surfaces to verify proper shock absorber function
Listen for any unusual noises from suspension during test drive, particularly clunks or rattles that may indicate loose mounting hardware
Verify vehicle handling feels balanced and stable with no pulling to either side
Recheck torque on all fasteners after 50-100 miles of driving

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