Wheel Bearing Hub - Front

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front wheel bearing hub assembly on a 2017 Maserati Levante with 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine, including ABS sensor removal and axle nut service.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wheel bearing hub assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle nut (new) × 1 — Single-use fastener
• Cotter pin for axle nut × 1 — Use OEM specification
• ABS sensor O-ring (if equipped) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Chock rear wheels securely
3. Loosen front axle nut with 32mm socket and breaker bar while vehicle is still on ground (do not remove completely)
4. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
5. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at designated jacking points
6. Remove front wheel completely
7. Clean work area around hub, steering knuckle, and suspension components with wire brush

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove ABS wheel speed sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor on the back of the steering knuckle. Disconnect the electrical connector by pressing the release tab. Remove the single bolt securing the sensor using appropriate socket. Carefully withdraw the sensor from the knuckle bore, taking care not to damage the sensor tip or tone ring. Inspect O-ring and replace if damaged.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove brake caliper assembly
   Remove the two brake caliper bracket bolts from the back of the steering knuckle. Support the caliper assembly with wire or bungee cord to avoid stressing the brake hose. Do not let caliper hang by brake line. Remove brake rotor by pulling straight off hub. If rotor is stuck, use rotor puller or thread bolts into rotor removal holes.
3. 3

   Remove axle nut completely
   Remove the cotter pin from the axle nut using pliers or punch. Discard the cotter pin. Now fully remove the 32mm axle nut that was previously loosened. Remove any washer behind the nut. The axle nut must be replaced with a new one during reassembly.
4. 4

   Disconnect tie rod end
   Remove the castle nut securing the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to separate the tie rod end taper from the knuckle. Apply pressure to the separator tool while tapping with hammer. Once separated, move tie rod aside to provide working clearance.
   ⚠Do not damage tie rod end boot during separation. Replace boot if torn.
5. 5

   Disconnect lower control arm
   Locate the lower ball joint connection at the bottom of the steering knuckle. Remove the pinch bolt or castle nut (depending on design). Use ball joint separator to disconnect lower control arm ball joint from knuckle. Support the lower control arm to prevent it from dropping suddenly once separated.
   ⚠Lower control arm is under spring tension. Control its movement when separated to prevent injury.
6. 6

   Separate CV axle from hub
   With the steering knuckle now free, push the CV axle shaft back through the hub bore. It may be necessary to use a soft hammer to tap the end of the axle shaft. If axle is stuck in hub splines, use a hub puller to press the axle out. Do not damage the CV joint boot or axle threads.
   ⚠Support the CV axle after separation to prevent damage to inner CV joint or transmission seal.
7. 7

   Remove steering knuckle assembly
   With all connections separated, carefully remove the steering knuckle assembly from the vehicle. Place on clean workbench. This provides access to the wheel bearing hub bolts on the back of the knuckle.
8. 8

   Remove old wheel bearing hub
   From the back side of the steering knuckle, locate the 4 or 5 hub mounting bolts. Remove all wheel bearing hub bolts using appropriate socket. The hub assembly is pressed into the knuckle from the front. Use a hub puller or press to remove the old bearing hub from the knuckle bore. Tap evenly around the hub face if using a puller. Clean the knuckle bore thoroughly with wire brush, removing all rust, debris, and old sealant.
   ⚠Do not damage the knuckle bore surface. Any nicks or burrs must be removed to ensure proper hub seating.
9. 9

   Install new wheel bearing hub
   Inspect new hub assembly for damage and verify correct part number. Apply light coat of anti-seize to the knuckle bore (avoid getting any on bolt holes). Press or drive the new hub assembly into the knuckle from the front side, ensuring it seats completely and squarely. The hub face should be flush with the knuckle mounting surface. From the back of the knuckle, apply medium-strength threadlocker to the hub mounting bolt threads. Install all hub bolts finger-tight, then torque in a star pattern to specification.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall steering knuckle assembly
    Guide the CV axle shaft through the new hub bore as you position the knuckle back into place. Reconnect the lower control arm ball joint to the knuckle and install fastener (do not fully torque yet). Reconnect the tie rod end to the knuckle and install new castle nut. Pull the knuckle outward to fully seat the CV axle splines into the hub.
11. 11

    Reinstall brake components
    Clean the hub mounting surface with brake cleaner. Reinstall the brake rotor onto the hub, ensuring it seats flat. Position the brake caliper bracket over the rotor and align with mounting holes on knuckle. Install caliper bracket bolts and torque to specification in even pattern.
    Torque spec

    Brake Caliper Bracket Bolts120 Nm (88 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install ABS sensor
    Inspect ABS sensor tip for debris and clean if necessary. Install new O-ring onto sensor if equipped. Carefully insert sensor into knuckle bore, ensuring it seats fully without cross-threading. Install sensor mounting bolt and torque to specification. Do not overtighten as this can crack the sensor housing. Reconnect electrical connector with audible click.
    ⚠ABS sensor bolt requires only 10 Nm. Overtightening will damage sensor housing.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install and torque axle nut
    Install washer (if equipped) and new 32mm axle nut onto CV axle shaft. With vehicle still on jack stands, torque axle nut to specification. The CV axle must be prevented from spinning during torque application - have assistant apply brakes or insert pry bar through rotor vanes. Once torqued, install new cotter pin through castle nut and axle shaft. Bend cotter pin ends to secure.
    ⚠️Axle nut torque is critical at 250 Nm (184 lb-ft). Under-torquing can cause bearing failure and wheel separation.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Final torque suspension components
    Lower vehicle to ground (with wheel still off or loosely installed). With vehicle weight on suspension, torque all suspension fasteners to specification including lower ball joint and tie rod end. This ensures proper preload with suspension at ride height.
15. 15

    Install wheel and final checks
    Install wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts in star pattern. Lower vehicle completely to ground. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification (refer to placard on door jamb, typically 110-130 Nm). Pump brake pedal several times to restore brake pressure before moving vehicle.

Reassembly

1. All fasteners must be torqued to specification with vehicle at ride height for suspension components
2. Brake pedal must be pumped to restore hydraulic pressure before vehicle operation
3. New axle nut and cotter pin are mandatory - never reuse old fasteners
4. Verify ABS sensor connector is fully seated with proper clip engagement

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no abnormal noises from wheel bearing area
• Check for smooth steering operation with no binding or unusual resistance
• Verify ABS warning light is off and system performs self-check normally
• Perform final torque check on wheel lug nuts after 50-100 miles
• Listen for any grinding, humming, or clicking noises that would indicate improper installation
• Check that wheel rotates freely with no drag or rough spots when vehicle is lifted

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