Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1908

DR
FRONT CLUTCH
DESCRIPTION
The front clutch assembly (Fig. 91) is composed of
the front clutch retainer, pressure plate, clutch
plates, driving discs, piston, piston return spring,
return spring retainer, and snap-rings. The front
clutch is the forward-most component in the trans-
mission geartrain and is directly behind the oil pump
and is considered a driving component.
OPERATION
To apply the clutch, pressure is applied between
the clutch retainer and piston. The fluid pressure is
provided by the oil pump, transferred through the
control valves and passageways, and enters the
clutch through the hub of the reaction shaft support.
With pressure applied between the clutch retainer
and piston, the piston moves away from the clutch
retainer and compresses the clutch pack. This action
1 - INNER PISTON SEAL
2 - CLUTCH PISTON
3 - CLUTCH PISTON SPRING RETAINER
4 - CLUTCH PLATES
5 - CLUTCH PACK SNAP-RING (WAVED)
6 - REACTION PLATE
applies the clutch pack, allowing torque to flow
through the input shaft into the driving discs, and
into the clutch plates and pressure plate that are
lugged to the clutch retainer. The waved snap-ring is
used to cushion the application of the clutch pack.
spring returns the piston to its fully released position
and disengages the clutch. The release spring also
helps to cushion the application of the clutch assem-
bly. When the clutch is in the process of being
released by the release spring, fluid flows through a
vent and one-way ball-check-valve located in the
clutch retainer. The check-valve is needed to elimi-
nate the possibility of plate drag caused by centrifu-
gal force acting on the residual fluid trapped in the
clutch piston retainer.
DISASSEMBLY
clutch plates, and clutch discs.
Fig. 91 48RE Front Clutch Components
7 - CLUTCH DISCS
8 - RETAINER SNAP-RING
9 - CLUTCH PISTON SPRINGS
10 - OUTER PISTON SEAL
11 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48RE
When pressure is released from the piston, the
(1) Remove the waved snap-ring, reaction plate,
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