Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 1881

21 - 246 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE
REAR CLUTCH
DESCRIPTION
The rear clutch assembly (Fig. 215) is composed of
the rear clutch retainer, pressure plate, clutch plates,
driving discs, piston, Belleville spring, and snap-
rings. The Belleville spring acts as a lever to multi-
ply the force applied on to it by the apply piston. The
increased apply force on the rear clutch pack, in com-
parison to the front clutch pack, is needed to hold
against the greater torque load imposed onto the rear
pack. The rear clutch is directly behind the front
clutch and is considered a driving component.
NOTE: The number of discs and plates may vary
with each engine and vehicle combination.
1 - PISTON SPRING
2 - REAR CLUTCH PISTON
3 - CLUTCH PISTON SEALS
4 - OUTPUT SHAFT THRUST WASHER (METAL)
5 - INPUT SHAFT SNAP-RING
6 - REAR CLUTCH RETAINER
7 - INPUT SHAFT
8 - REAR CLUTCH THRUST WASHER (FIBER)
9 - CLUTCH PACK SNAP-RING (SELECTIVE)
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
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 spring is
used to cushion the application of the clutch pack.
The snap-ring is selective and used to adjust clutch
pack clearance.
When pressure is released from the piston, the
spring returns the piston to its fully released position
Fig. 215 Rear Clutch
10 - TOP PRESSURE PLATE
11 - CLUTCH DISCS (4)
12 - BOTTOM PRESSURE PLATE
13 - WAVE SPRING
14 - CLUTCH PLATES (3)
15 - RETAINER SEAL RING
16 - SHAFT REAR SEAL RING (PLASTIC)
17 - SHAFT FRONT SEAL RING (TEFLON)
BR/BE