Strut Assembly - Front

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front strut assemblies on a 2017 Maserati Levante with the 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine, including suspension disconnection and wheel alignment requirements.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut assembly (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent
• Front strut assembly (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent
• Strut top mount nuts (if reusing strut) × 6 — Use OEM specification - replace if damaged
• Strut-to-knuckle bolts × 4 — Use OEM specification - single use fasteners
• Wheel lug bolts (if damaged) — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
2. Loosen front wheel lug bolts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove).
3. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 5 minutes for system discharge.
4. Raise front of vehicle using floor jack at designated front lift point.
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at manufacturer-specified jacking points on front subframe.
6. Remove front wheels completely and set aside.
7. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 15 minutes.
8. Take photos of brake line routing and ABS sensor wire routing for reference during reassembly.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting area
   Open the hood and locate the strut tower under the hood. Remove any plastic covers or trim panels covering the top of the strut tower. The Levante has three nuts securing the top of each strut assembly to the strut tower. Do not remove these nuts yet.
2. 2

   Disconnect ABS sensor and brake line
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor wire attached to the strut or knuckle assembly. Disconnect the electrical connector and carefully unclip the wire from any mounting brackets on the strut. If brake line brackets are attached to the strut, remove the mounting bolts to free the brake line from the strut assembly. Do not disconnect or open the brake hydraulic system.
3. 3

   Disconnect stabilizer link
   Locate the stabilizer bar end link connection to the strut assembly. Using a wrench to hold the ball joint stud, remove the nut securing the stabilizer link to the strut. Use a ball joint separator tool if necessary to separate the connection. Allow the stabilizer link to hang freely.
4. 4

   Mark steering knuckle alignment
   Before loosening the strut-to-knuckle bolts, use a scribe or paint marker to mark the exact position of the strut relative to the steering knuckle on both the front and rear mounting positions. This will help with initial alignment during reassembly. Note that professional alignment is still required, but these marks assist with preliminary positioning.
5. 5

   Support steering knuckle assembly
   Place a floor jack under the lower control arm or steering knuckle to support the weight of the knuckle assembly. Raise the jack just enough to take the load off the strut-to-knuckle bolts, but do not lift the vehicle. This prevents the knuckle from dropping when the strut is removed.
6. 6

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Remove the two bolts (and through-bolt nuts if equipped) that secure the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. These are typically large diameter bolts passing through the strut bracket and knuckle. The Levante uses high-strength fasteners here. These bolts are single-use torque-to-yield fasteners and must be discarded. Support the strut as you remove the final fastener.
   ⚠The strut may shift as bolts are loosened. Maintain control of the assembly and ensure the floor jack is properly supporting the knuckle.
7. 7

   Remove strut top mount nuts
   Move to the engine bay and support the strut from below with one hand or have an assistant hold it. Remove the three nuts securing the top of the strut assembly to the strut tower. Once the final nut is removed, carefully lower the strut assembly down and out through the wheel well. Guide any attached components clear of the body.
8. 8

   Compress coil spring (if disassembling strut)
   If you are replacing only the strut cartridge or other components rather than a complete assembly, install a spring compressor tool on the coil spring following the manufacturer's instructions. Compress the spring evenly on both sides until tension is released from the top mount. This step is not necessary if installing a complete pre-assembled strut assembly.
   ⚠️Spring compressor failure can cause severe injury or death. Use only quality spring compressor tools designed for automotive use. Compress evenly and ensure tools are fully engaged before proceeding.
9. 9

   Remove strut shaft nut (if disassembling)
   If disassembling the strut, hold the strut shaft with an appropriate tool (often a hex socket fits into the top of the shaft) and remove the top mount nut. Carefully remove the top mount, bearing plate, spring seat, and compressed spring. Keep all components in order for reassembly. Skip this step if installing a complete assembly.
10. 10

    Install new strut assembly
    If installing a complete pre-assembled strut, guide the new strut assembly up through the wheel well and align the top mount studs with the holes in the strut tower. Thread the three top mount nuts onto the studs by hand. Do not fully tighten yet. If you disassembled the old strut, transfer components to the new strut cartridge in reverse order, ensuring the spring is properly seated and aligned.
11. 11

    Connect strut to steering knuckle
    With the floor jack supporting the knuckle, align the strut with the steering knuckle mounting holes using your alignment marks from disassembly as a guide. Install NEW strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts. Start both fasteners by hand before tightening. Note: Original equipment torque specifications are required but not available in the database. Consult factory service manual or professional technician for exact torque values. Typical range for this application is 120-180 ft-lb, but exact specification must be verified.
12. 12

    Tighten strut top mount nuts
    Working in the engine bay, tighten the three strut top mount nuts in a star pattern to ensure even loading. Note: Exact torque specification not available in database. Consult factory service manual. Typical specification for this application is 40-60 ft-lb, but exact value must be verified before proceeding.
13. 13

    Reconnect stabilizer link and sensors
    Reconnect the stabilizer bar end link to the strut assembly and install the retaining nut. Hold the ball joint stud to prevent spinning while tightening the nut. Reconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor connector and secure all wiring to the strut using the original clips and routing. Reattach any brake line brackets to the strut.
14. 14

    Complete opposite side
    Repeat steps 1 through 13 for the opposite side strut assembly. Both front struts should be replaced as a pair to maintain balanced suspension performance and handling characteristics.
15. 15

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Install the front wheels and thread all lug bolts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tires just contact the ground but the suspension is not yet loaded. Tighten wheel lug bolts in a star pattern to factory specification (typically 103 ft-lb for Levante, verify in owner's manual). Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Reconnect battery negative terminal.

Reassembly

1. All fasteners must be tightened to factory torque specifications. Without torque values in this database, consult the factory service manual or Maserati dealer service department.
2. Strut-to-knuckle bolts are torque-to-yield fasteners and MUST be replaced with new OEM bolts. Never reuse these critical fasteners.
3. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and all wiring is secured with proper routing to prevent chafing or interference with moving suspension components.
4. Verify brake lines have proper clearance throughout suspension travel with no binding or excessive tension.

Verification

• MANDATORY: Have vehicle professionally aligned immediately after completing this repair. Do not drive at highway speeds until alignment is performed.
• With vehicle on ground, bounce each corner of the vehicle and verify struts dampen motion properly without excessive bouncing or noise.
• Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary and verify no binding, rubbing, or interference.
• Check for any fluid leaks from the strut seals.
• Test drive at low speed in a safe area and verify proper handling, no pulling to either side, and no unusual noises from the suspension.
• After alignment, verify steering wheel is centered when driving straight.
• Re-check all fastener torque values after 50-100 miles of driving, particularly wheel lug bolts and strut-to-knuckle bolts.

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