suspension

Sway Bar Link - Front

for 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo · AWD

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

Difficulty

Easy

Time

1.0 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.

Replace the front sway bar links (stabilizer bar links) on a 2017 Maserati Levante to restore proper suspension performance and eliminate clunking noises.

Warnings

⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.

⚠The sway bar is under tension when the suspension is unloaded. Control the sway bar link carefully during removal to prevent sudden movement.

ℹ️Replace sway bar links in pairs (both left and right) for balanced suspension performance.

Tools required

Floor jackEssential

Jack standsEssential

Wheel chocksEssential

21mm socketEssential

Torque wrench (30-150 Nm range)Essential

16mm wrench

6mm Allen keyEssential

Wire brush

Penetrating oil

Breaker bar

As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Parts

Front sway bar link (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification
Front sway bar link (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification

As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated jacking points
Support vehicle securely with jack stands under frame rails
Remove front wheels completely
Spray sway bar link nuts with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes if corroded

Procedure

1
Access the sway bar link
Locate the sway bar link connecting the front strut assembly to the sway bar. The link will have ball joint studs at both ends with nuts securing it. Inspect the surrounding area for clearance and identify both upper and lower mounting points.
2
Remove upper sway bar link nut
Insert a 6mm Allen key into the top of the sway bar link stud to hold it stationary. Using a 16mm wrench or socket, remove the upper nut that secures the link to the strut assembly. If the ball joint spins, apply firm pressure with the Allen key while turning the nut. Remove the nut completely and retain any washers or bushings.
3
Remove lower sway bar link nut
Insert the 6mm Allen key into the bottom of the sway bar link stud. Using a 16mm wrench or socket, remove the lower nut that secures the link to the sway bar. Hold the stud firmly with the Allen key to prevent spinning. Remove the nut completely and retain any washers or bushings.
4
Remove old sway bar link
Pull the sway bar link free from both the strut and sway bar mounting points. The ball joint studs should slide out of their mounting holes. If stuck, gently tap the link with a rubber mallet or apply additional penetrating oil. Inspect the mounting points on both the strut and sway bar for damage or excessive wear.
5
Prepare mounting points
Clean the sway bar link mounting points on both the strut assembly and sway bar using a wire brush. Remove any corrosion, dirt, or old thread locker. Inspect threads on both mounting locations for damage. Ensure mounting holes are clear and free of debris.
6
Install new sway bar link
Position the new sway bar link between the strut assembly and sway bar. Insert the upper ball joint stud into the strut mounting hole and the lower ball joint stud into the sway bar mounting hole. Ensure any bushings or washers are properly positioned as per the new link's installation instructions. Start both nuts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement.
7
Torque sway bar link nuts
Insert the 6mm Allen key into the upper stud to hold it stationary. Using a torque wrench, tighten the upper nut to specification. Repeat for the lower nut, holding the stud with the Allen key while torquing. Verify both connections are secure and the link moves freely through its range of motion without binding.
Torque spec
Sway Bar Link64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
8
Repeat for opposite side
Move to the opposite side of the vehicle and repeat steps 2 through 7 to replace the sway bar link on the other side. Both links should be replaced simultaneously to maintain balanced suspension characteristics.
9
Reinstall wheels
Place wheels back onto hubs and start all lug nuts by hand. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a wrench but do not torque yet. Lower vehicle from jack stands using floor jack until wheels just contact the ground with slight weight on them.
10
Final torque wheel lug nuts
With vehicle weight on wheels but still partially supported by jack, torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Lower vehicle completely to ground and remove jack. Perform final verification of lug nut torque in star pattern.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification using proper sequence
Verify sway bar links move freely without binding through full suspension travel
Double-check wheel lug nuts are torqued in proper star pattern

Verification

Test drive vehicle at low speed over small bumps to verify no clunking noises from front suspension
Perform figure-eight maneuvers in empty parking lot to confirm proper sway bar operation
Visually inspect sway bar link connections after test drive to ensure nuts remain tight
Check for proper suspension articulation with no binding or unusual noises during turning

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