Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 2399

21 - 764 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 47RE
REAR CLUTCH
DESCRIPTION
The rear clutch assembly (Fig. 214) 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.
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
1 - REAR CLUTCH RETAINER
2 - TORLON™ SEAL RINGS
3 - INPUT SHAFT
4 - PISTON RETAINER
5 - OUTPUT SHAFT THRUST WASHER
6 - INNER PISTON SEAL
7 - PISTON SPRING
8 - PRESSURE PLATE
9 - CLUTCH DISCS
10 - SNAP-RING (SELECTIVE)
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
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 pis-
ton. The check-valve is needed to eliminate the pos-
sibility of plate drag caused by centrifugal force
acting on the residual fluid trapped in the clutch pis-
ton retainer.
Fig. 214 Rear Clutch Components
11 - REACTION PLATE
12 - CLUTCH PLATES
13 - WAVE SPRING
14 - SPACER RING
15 - PISTON
16 - OUTER PISTON SEAL
17 - REAR SEAL RING
18 - FIBER THRUST WASHER
19 - RETAINING RING
BR/BE