Remove and replace rear leaf spring bushings on a 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo RWD, restoring proper suspension geometry and eliminating bushing-related noises or handling issues.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear leaf spring bushings (pair) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Bushing mounting hardware kit × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Locate air suspension switch (if equipped) and set to 'Disable' or 'Jack Mode'
4. Allow vehicle to settle for 2-3 minutes after disabling air suspension
5. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and support vehicle
   Lift the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack at the designated rear jacking point. Raise to working height and place jack stands under the rear subframe or chassis rails at manufacturer-specified support points. Lower vehicle onto jack stands. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside.
2. 2

   Inspect suspension and locate leaf spring mounting points
   Visually inspect the rear suspension to identify the leaf spring assembly and bushing locations. The Levante uses a multi-link rear suspension; locate the forward and rearward mounting points of the leaf spring where bushings are pressed into the mounting eyes. Note the orientation of any washers, spacers, or alignment marks.
3. 3

   Support rear differential and suspension
   Place a floor jack with a block of wood under the rear differential housing to support its weight. Raise slightly to take tension off the leaf spring assembly. This prevents the suspension from dropping excessively when fasteners are removed.
4. 4

   Disconnect sway bar link
   Locate the rear sway bar link connection to the suspension arm near the leaf spring assembly. Remove the sway bar link nut while holding the shaft with an Allen key to prevent spinning. Disconnect the sway bar link from the suspension arm to provide additional working clearance.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove leaf spring mounting bolts
   Apply penetrating oil to the leaf spring mounting bolts at both the forward and rearward bushing locations. Allow 10-15 minutes to penetrate. Using the appropriate socket and breaker bar, remove the through-bolts that secure the leaf spring bushings to the chassis/subframe. Note the orientation and position of any washers or spacers for reinstallation. Support the leaf spring as the final bolt is removed.
6. 6

   Remove leaf spring assembly
   With mounting bolts removed, carefully lower the jack supporting the differential slightly to allow the leaf spring to drop free from the mounting points. Remove the leaf spring assembly from the vehicle and place on a clean workbench. Inspect mounting eyes for cracks, elongation, or damage.
7. 7

   Press out old bushings
   Secure the leaf spring assembly in a hydraulic press or use a bushing press tool kit. Position the leaf spring so the bushing can be pressed out cleanly without damaging the mounting eye. Apply steady pressure to press the old bushing out of the mounting eye. Repeat for the second bushing location. Clean the bushing bore thoroughly with a wire brush and inspect for damage or corrosion.
   ⚠Apply force only to the bushing sleeve, not the mounting eye itself. Misalignment during pressing can crack or deform the mounting eye.
8. 8

   Install new bushings
   Apply a thin coat of soapy water or approved bushing lubricant to the outer diameter of the new bushings (do not use petroleum-based lubricants). Position the new bushing squarely in the mounting eye, ensuring proper orientation if the bushing is directional. Using the hydraulic press or bushing installation tool, press the new bushing into place until it is fully seated and flush with the mounting eye surface. Verify the bushing is centered and seated evenly on both sides.
9. 9

   Reinstall leaf spring assembly
   Position the leaf spring assembly back into the vehicle, aligning the bushing eyes with the mounting brackets on the chassis/subframe. Raise the differential slightly with the floor jack to align the mounting points. Insert the through-bolts with any spacers or washers in their original orientation. Hand-thread the nuts onto the bolts but do not torque at this stage.
10. 10

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Reconnect the rear sway bar link to the suspension arm. Install the link nut and hold the shaft with an Allen key while tightening to the specified torque.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link64 Nm (47 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall wheels
    Mount the rear wheels onto the hubs and hand-thread all lug nuts. Snug the lug nuts in a star pattern but do not torque fully yet.
12. 12

    Lower vehicle to load suspension
    Carefully raise the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle so that the full weight is resting on the wheels, but keep the vehicle supported enough that it won't roll. This loads the suspension to the correct operating position for torquing suspension fasteners.
    ℹ️Suspension bushings must be torqued with vehicle weight on the wheels to prevent premature bushing failure and binding.
13. 13

    Torque leaf spring mounting bolts
    With vehicle weight on the suspension, torque the leaf spring mounting bolts to the appropriate specification. If specific leaf spring bolt torque is not listed, follow manufacturer guidelines for control arm fasteners of similar size. Ensure bolts are torqued evenly and verify proper seating.
14. 14

    Torque wheel lug nuts
    Torque the rear wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern to ensure even seating of the wheels.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts142 Nm (105 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Re-enable air suspension and final checks
    If equipped with air suspension, return the suspension switch to normal operating mode. Start the vehicle and allow the air suspension system to pressurize and return to normal ride height (approximately 60 seconds). Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary to verify clearances. Remove wheel chocks.

Reassembly

1. All suspension fasteners must be torqued with vehicle weight on the wheels to prevent bushing bind and premature failure
2. Verify all sway bar link connections are secure and torqued properly
3. Confirm air suspension (if equipped) returns to normal ride height without fault codes

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no abnormal noises from the rear suspension
• Check for proper handling and absence of pulling or wandering
• Perform a visual inspection after 50-100 miles to verify all fasteners remain tight
• Verify ride height is even side-to-side and air suspension (if equipped) functions normally
• Schedule a professional alignment check to ensure suspension geometry is correct

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