Inspection; Assembly - Dodge Dakota Sport 2001 Service Manual

21 - 150 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE
FRONT CLUTCH (Continued)
Fig. 87 Compressing Front Clutch Piston Spring
1 - FRONT CLUTCH SPRING
2 - COMPRESSOR TOOL C-3575-A
3 - RETAINER SNAP-RING
4 - SPRING RETAINER

INSPECTION

Inspect the front clutch components. Replace the
clutch discs if warped, worn, scored, burned or
charred, or if the facing is flaking off. Replace the
steel plates if heavily scored, warped, or broken. Be
sure the driving lugs on the plates are in good con-
dition. The lugs must not be bent, cracked or dam-
aged in any way.
Replace the clutch spring and spring retainer if
either is distorted, warped or broken.
Check the lug grooves in the clutch retainer. The
steel plates should slide freely in the slots. Replace
the retainer if the grooves are worn or damaged.
Check action of the check ball in the retainer (Fig.
88). The ball must move freely and not stick.
NOTE: Inspect the clutch retainer bushings care-
fully (Fig. 89). The retainer bushings are NOT ser-
viceable. It will be necessary to replace the retainer
if either bushing is scored, or worn.
Inspect the piston and retainer seal surfaces for
nicks or scratches. Minor scratches can be removed
with crocus cloth. However, replace the piston and/or
retainer if the seal surfaces are seriously scored.

ASSEMBLY

NOTE: The 42RE transmission uses four plates and
discs for the front clutch.
Fig. 88 Front Clutch Piston Retainer Check Ball
1 - RETAINER CHECK BALL
Fig. 89 Retainer Bushing Location/Inspection
1 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER BUSHINGS (NON-
SERVICEABLE)
(1) Soak clutch discs in transmission fluid while
assembling other clutch parts.
(2) Install new seals in the clutch retainer lower
groove and on outer diameter of the retainer hub. Be
sure lip of each seal faces interior of clutch retainer.
(3) Lubricate lips of the retainer seals with liberal
quantity of Mopar® Door Ease. Then lubricate
retainer hub, bore and piston with light coat of trans-
mission fluid.
(4) Install clutch piston in retainer (Fig. 90). Use
twisting motion to seat piston in bottom of retainer.
CAUTION: Never push the clutch piston straight in.
This will fold the seals over causing leakage and
clutch slip.
(5) Position spring in clutch piston (Fig. 91).
Location
AN