Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 1910

DR
FRONT CLUTCH (Continued)
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.
Check the clutch piston check ball. The ball should
be securely in place. Replace the piston if the ball is
missing, or seized in place.
ASSEMBLY
NOTE: The 48RE transmission uses five plates and
discs for the front clutch.
(1) Soak clutch discs in transmission fluid.
(2) Install new inner piston seal onto the outer
diameter of the clutch retainer inner hub.
(3) Install new outer seal onto the clutch piston. Be
sure seal lips of both seals face the interior of the
retainer.
(4) Lubricate new inner and outer piston seals
with petroleum jelly.
(5) Install clutch piston in retainer. Use twisting
motion to seat piston in bottom of retainer. A thin
strip of plastic (about 0.015 - 0.020 in. thick), can be
used to guide seals into place if necessary.
CAUTION: Never push the clutch piston straight in.
This will fold the seals over causing leakage and
clutch slip. In addition, never use any type of metal
1 - INNER PISTON SEAL
2 - CLUTCH PISTON
3 - CLUTCH PISTON SPRING RETAINER
4 - CLUTCH PLATES
5 - CLUTCH PACK SNAP-RING (WAVED)
6 - REACTION PLATE
tool to help ease the piston seals into place. Metal
tools will cut, shave, or score the seals.
(Fig. 94).
with Tool C-3863-A.
compressor tool.
clutch discs, five steel plates and one reaction plate
are required.
Fig. 95 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
Fig. 94 Front Clutch Spring Position
1 - 9 SPRING CLUTCH
(6) Install and position nine clutch piston springs
(7) Install spring retainer on top of piston springs.
(8) Compress spring retainer and piston springs
(9) Install spring retainer snap-ring and remove
(10) Install clutch plates and discs (Fig. 95). Five
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