Wheel Alignment

Perform a four-wheel alignment on a 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo RWD, adjusting camber, caster, toe angles to factory specifications using alignment equipment.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Alignment specification sheet × 1 — Use Maserati OEM specifications

Preparation

1. Verify tire pressures are set to specification (Front: 35 PSI, Rear: 38 PSI cold) and tires are properly matched with acceptable tread depth
2. Inspect suspension components for wear, damage, or looseness (ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, strut mounts)
3. Check for any accident damage or frame irregularities that would prevent proper alignment
4. Ensure vehicle is at normal ride height with fuel tank at least half full and no unusual cargo loading
5. Drive vehicle onto alignment rack with steering wheel centered and front wheels straight ahead
6. Position vehicle so suspension settles naturally without binding on lift points

Procedure

1. 1

   Mount alignment sensors and perform compensation
   Attach alignment heads to all four wheels according to alignment equipment manufacturer instructions. Ensure sensors are securely mounted and vehicle weight is fully on suspension. Perform rolling compensation procedure by following on-screen prompts, typically requiring the vehicle to be rolled forward and backward to calibrate sensors. Lock steering wheel in centered position using steering wheel holder or secure with bungee cord through wheel spokes to brake pedal.
2. 2

   Perform initial alignment measurement
   Raise vehicle on alignment rack to working height while keeping weight on suspension (do not lift wheels off sensors). Run full alignment measurement sequence. Record all measurements for front and rear: camber, caster, toe, thrust angle, and cross measurements. Compare readings to Maserati factory specifications. Front camber: -0.5° ±0.5°, Front caster: 6.5° ±0.5°, Front toe: 0.05° ±0.10° (per wheel). Rear camber: -1.0° ±0.5°, Rear toe: 0.15° ±0.10° (per wheel). Total toe values may vary; consult specific specification sheet.
3. 3

   Adjust rear toe angles
   Begin alignment with rear axle to establish thrust angle. Loosen tie rod jam nuts on rear toe links using 17mm wrench. Rotate inner tie rod end to adjust toe angle while monitoring alignment equipment display in real-time. Turning tie rod clockwise (viewed from outer end) increases toe-in. Adjust both sides equally to maintain thrust angle near zero. Once rear toe is within specification, hold tie rod with wrench and torque jam nuts to specification.
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod Jam Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Adjust rear camber if necessary
   If rear camber is out of specification and vehicle has adjustable rear camber bolts (upper control arm to knuckle connection), loosen camber bolts using 19mm socket. Apply penetrating lubricant if bolts are difficult to loosen. Use pry bar or camber adjustment tool to shift upper control arm position, moving bolt within elongated hole. Moving arm outboard increases negative camber; moving inboard decreases negative camber. Monitor alignment display and torque camber bolts when within specification.
   ⚠Not all Levante models have adjustable rear camber. If camber is non-adjustable and out of specification, inspect for suspension damage or bent components.
   Torque spec

   Camber Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Adjust front toe angles
   With rear alignment completed, move to front axle. Unlock steering wheel temporarily to relieve any binding, then re-center and lock. Loosen tie rod lock nuts at outer tie rod ends using 19mm wrench. Clean threads with wire brush if corroded. Hold tie rod end boot to prevent twisting and rotate inner tie rod shaft to adjust toe. Turning tie rod clockwise (viewed from center of vehicle) increases toe-in on that side. Adjust both sides to achieve individual wheel toe within specification and total toe approximately 0.10° toe-in total. Torque lock nuts to specification while holding tie rod end stationary.
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod Lock Nut71 Nm (52 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Adjust front camber if required
   If front camber is out of specification, locate camber adjustment bolts at front strut-to-knuckle connection. Loosen upper and lower bolts using 19mm socket, applying penetrating lubricant if necessary. The upper bolt typically has elongated hole allowing lateral adjustment. Use pry bar to shift knuckle position relative to strut bracket. Moving knuckle outboard increases negative camber; moving inboard decreases negative camber. Monitor alignment display and adjust both sides to specification. Torque camber bolts when adjustment is complete.
   ℹ️Front camber adjustment range is limited. If camber cannot be brought into specification, inspect for bent struts, control arms, or subframe misalignment.
   Torque spec

   Camber Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Verify caster and cross measurements
   Check front caster readings on alignment display. Caster is generally non-adjustable on this platform and is set by control arm position and subframe alignment. If caster is significantly out of specification (more than 1° from specification), inspect for bent control arms, damaged subframe mounts, or collision damage. Verify cross-caster (side-to-side difference) is less than 0.5°. Check cross-camber and cross-toe measurements to ensure side-to-side symmetry.
8. 8

   Perform final alignment measurement
   With all adjustments complete and fasteners torqued, perform final full alignment measurement. Verify all angles are within green specification zones on alignment equipment. Check that thrust angle is near zero (less than 0.10°) and steering wheel is centered. If steering wheel is off-center but toe angles are correct, note this for steering angle sensor recalibration. Print alignment report showing before and after measurements for customer records.
9. 9

   Test drive and verify steering centering
   Lower vehicle from alignment rack and remove steering wheel lock. Start engine and verify power steering operates normally. Test drive vehicle on straight, level road at moderate speed (30-40 mph). Verify vehicle tracks straight with hands-off steering and steering wheel is centered. Check for any pulling, wandering, or abnormal tire noise. If steering wheel is more than 5° off-center, return to shop and verify toe settings or perform steering angle sensor calibration using Maserati diagnostic tool if equipped.

Reassembly

1. Remove alignment sensors and equipment from vehicle
2. Verify all adjustment bolts and jam nuts are properly torqued and no tools or equipment remain under vehicle
3. Inspect tie rod boots and suspension components for any damage that may have occurred during adjustment

Verification

• Review printed alignment report to confirm all angles are within manufacturer specifications with green readings
• Verify steering wheel is centered when driving straight (within 5° of center)
• Confirm vehicle tracks straight on level road without pulling left or right
• Check that thrust angle is minimized (ideally less than 0.10°) to prevent dog-tracking
• Verify all torque specifications were met on adjustment fasteners, particularly camber bolts, tie rod lock nuts, and jam nuts
• Ensure tire wear patterns will be corrected by proper alignment angles achieved

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