Strut Assembly - Rear

Complete replacement of the rear strut assembly on a 2017 Maserati Levante, including removal of strut-to-knuckle connection and upper strut tower mounting.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear strut assembly (left or right as needed) × 1 — Use OEM specification or Bilstein/KYB equivalent
• Strut tower mounting nuts (if corroded) × 3 — OEM self-locking nuts recommended
• Strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts × 2 — Replace if damaged or corroded

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at designated lift points
4. Secure vehicle on jack stands rated for vehicle weight (approximately 4,800 lbs)
5. Remove rear wheel completely on side being serviced
6. Spray all fasteners to be removed with penetrating oil and allow 15-20 minutes to soak
7. Take photos of component orientation and wire routing for reassembly reference
8. If vehicle has electronic damping control, disconnect battery negative terminal and wait 5 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Access upper strut mounting area
   Open rear hatch and locate the access panel in the cargo area trim on the side being serviced. Remove trim panel fasteners (typically push clips or screws) to expose the upper strut tower mounting nuts. The strut tower is located behind the rear wheel well area. On some configurations, you may need to fold down the rear seat and remove additional trim panels.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link if necessary
   Inspect the sway bar link connection to the lower control arm or strut. If the link interferes with strut removal, disconnect it at the lower mounting point. Use an Allen key to hold the shaft while loosening the nut with a wrench. Support the link with wire to prevent strain on the upper connection.
   ⚠Do not allow sway bar link to hang freely as this can damage the rubber bushings or bend the link.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Support rear knuckle assembly
   Position a floor jack with a block of wood under the rear knuckle/hub assembly to support its weight. Raise the jack just enough to take the load off the strut, but do not lift the vehicle. This prevents the suspension from dropping when the strut is disconnected and makes reinstallation easier.
   ⚠️The knuckle assembly is heavy and will drop suddenly if not supported. This can cause injury or damage brake lines, ABS sensors, and CV axles.
4. 4

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two large bolts connecting the strut to the rear knuckle. These are typically pinch-style bolts securing the strut into a fork on the knuckle. Mark the orientation of any alignment cams or eccentric washers before removal. Use a breaker bar to loosen these bolts, then remove them completely. Keep hardware organized for reinstallation.
   ⚠These bolts may be seized due to corrosion. Apply heat carefully if needed, avoiding brake components and ABS sensors. Do not use excessive force that could damage the knuckle.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts128 Nm (95 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect electrical connections
   If equipped with electronic damping control (Skyhook suspension), locate and disconnect the electrical connector at the top of the strut. Press the locking tab and pull the connector straight off. Secure the wire harness away from the work area to prevent damage.
6. 6

   Remove upper strut tower mounting nuts
   From inside the vehicle cargo area, locate the three mounting nuts securing the strut to the upper tower. Hold the strut shaft with an Allen key if necessary to prevent rotation. Remove all three nuts completely while supporting the strut from below with your jack.
   ⚠️Ensure the strut is fully supported before removing the last nut. The strut assembly weighs approximately 15-20 lbs and will fall if not supported.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove strut assembly
   Carefully lower the jack supporting the knuckle while guiding the strut down and out of the wheel well. Maneuver the strut assembly to clear the upper mounting studs and any surrounding components. Remove the strut from the vehicle. Inspect the mounting surfaces on both the tower and knuckle for damage, corrosion, or wear.
8. 8

   Prepare and install new strut assembly
   Compare the new strut assembly to the old unit to verify correct application. If reusing upper mounting hardware, inspect rubber isolators and bearings for wear or cracking and replace if necessary. Clean all mounting surfaces on the strut tower and knuckle with a wire brush. Position the new strut assembly into the wheel well, aligning the upper mounting studs with the tower holes.
   ⚠Ensure the strut orientation is correct. The mounting studs should align naturally without forcing. Incorrect orientation will prevent proper installation.
9. 9

   Install upper mounting nuts
   Thread the three upper strut tower nuts onto the studs by hand. Do not fully tighten yet. Ensure the strut is properly seated against the tower and the isolator is correctly positioned. If equipped with electronic damping, reconnect the electrical connector at this time, ensuring it clicks fully into place.
10. 10

    Connect strut to knuckle
    Raise the jack under the knuckle to align the strut with the knuckle mounting fork. Insert the strut into the knuckle, ensuring proper alignment with any eccentric washers or cams in their original positions. Install the two strut-to-knuckle bolts with nuts. Thread them by hand first to ensure proper thread engagement.
    ⚠Do not force the strut into the knuckle. If alignment is difficult, check that the knuckle is at the correct height and the strut orientation is correct.
11. 11

    Torque upper strut tower nuts
    Using a calibrated torque wrench, tighten the three upper strut tower mounting nuts to specification in a cross pattern. Hold the strut shaft with an Allen key if it rotates during tightening. Verify all three nuts are properly torqued.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Torque strut-to-knuckle bolts
    With the vehicle weight still supported by jack stands, torque the two strut-to-knuckle bolts to specification. Torque the bolts evenly, alternating between them. Hold the nut side with a wrench while torquing the bolt head to prevent the fastener from spinning.
    Torque spec

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts128 Nm (95 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect sway bar link
    If the sway bar link was disconnected, reconnect it now. Position the link at the mounting point and install the nut. Hold the link shaft with an Allen key to prevent rotation while torquing the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the rear wheel, threading lug nuts by hand initially. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a wrench, but do not torque yet. Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground. With the vehicle weight on the suspension, torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    ⚠Failure to torque lug nuts in a star pattern can cause wheel runout and brake rotor warping.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall all cargo area trim panels and verify all clips are fully seated
2. If battery was disconnected, reconnect negative terminal and initialize any electronic systems per owner's manual
3. Check for any warning lights on instrument cluster related to suspension or stability control
4. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side if replacing both rear struts

Verification

• Bounce each corner of the vehicle several times to settle the suspension and verify no unusual noises
• Verify all wheels turn freely with no binding or rubbing noises
• Test drive at low speed in a safe area, checking for proper handling, no clunking noises, and straight tracking
• Visually inspect all mounting points and fasteners for proper installation
• Schedule professional four-wheel alignment immediately - suspension work requires alignment verification
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque all critical fasteners and verify no loosening has occurred

More procedures for this vehicle