DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual

(2) Compress clutch piston spring with Compressor
Tool C-3575-A (Fig. 86). Be sure legs of tool are
seated squarely on spring retainer before compress-
ing spring.
(3) Remove retainer snap-ring and remove com-
pressor tool.
(4) Remove spring retainer and clutch spring. Note
position of retainer on spring for assembly reference.
(5) Remove clutch piston from clutch retainer.
Remove piston by rotating it up and out of retainer.
(6) Remove seals from clutch retainer piston bore
and clutch retainer hub. Discard both seals as they
are not reusable.
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.
87). The ball must move freely and not stick.NOTE: Inspect the clutch retainer bushings care-
fully (Fig. 88). 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 44RE transmission uses five (5) plates
and discs for the front clutch.
(1) Soak clutch discs in transmission fluid while
assembling other clutch parts.
Fig. 86 Compressing Front Clutch Piston Spring
1 - FRONT CLUTCH SPRING
2 - COMPRESSOR TOOL C-3575-A
3 - RETAINER SNAP-RING
4 - SPRING RETAINER
Fig. 87 Front Clutch Piston Retainer Check Ball
Location
1 - RETAINER CHECK BALL
Fig. 88 Retainer Bushing Location/Inspection
1 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER BUSHINGS (NON-
SERVICEABLE)
21 - 376 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE
FRONT CLUTCH (Continued)

(2) Install new seals in the clutch retainer lower
groove and on the 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 MopartDoor Ease. Then lubricate
retainer hub, bore, and piston with light coat of
transmission fluid.
(4) Install clutch piston in retainer (Fig. 89). 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. 90).
(6) Position spring retainer on top of piston spring.
Make sure retainer is properly installed (Fig. 85).(7) Compress piston spring and retainer with Com-
pressor Tool C-3575-A (Fig. 86). Then install new
snap ring to secure spring retainer and spring.
(8) Install clutch plates and discs. Install steel
plate then disc until all plates and discs are
installed. The front clutch uses 5 clutch discs and
plates in a 44RE transmission.
(9) Install pressure plate and waved snap-ring.
Clearance should be 1.70 to 3.40 mm (0.067 to
0.134 in.). If clearance is incorrect, clutch discs,
plates, pressure plates and snap ring may have to be
changed.
FRONT SERVO
DESCRIPTION
The kickdown servo (Fig. 91) consists of a two-land
piston with an inner piston, a piston rod and guide,
and a return spring. The dual-land piston uses seal
rings on its outer diameters and an O-ring for the
inner piston.
OPERATION
The application of the piston is accomplished by
applying pressure between the two lands of the pis-
ton. The pressure acts against the larger lower land
to push the piston downward, allowing the piston rod
to extend though its guide against the apply lever.
Release of the servo at the 2-3 upshift is accom-
plished by a combination of spring and line pressure,
acting on the bottom of the larger land of the piston.
Fig. 89 Front Clutch Piston Installation
1 - CLUTCH PISTON
2 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
Fig. 90 Clutch Piston Spring Installation
1 - RETAINER
2 - CLUTCH SPRING
3 - PISTON
Fig. 91 Front Servo
1 - VENT
2 -PISTON ROD
3 - PISTON
4 - SPRING
5 - RELEASE PRESSURE
6 - APPLY PRESSURE
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 377
FRONT CLUTCH (Continued)

The small piston is used to cushion the application of
the band by bleeding oil through a small orifice in
the larger piston. The release timing of the kickdown
servo is very important to obtain a smooth but firm
shift. The release has to be very quick, just as the
front clutch application is taking place. Otherwise,
engine runaway or a shift hesitation will occur. To
accomplish this, the band retains its holding capacity
until the front clutch is applied, giving a small
amount of overlap between them.
DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove seal ring from rod guide (Fig. 92).
(2) Remove small snap-ring from servo piston rod.
Then remove piston rod, spring and washer from pis-
ton.
(3) Remove and discard servo component o-ring
and seal rings.
CLEANING
Clean the servo piston components (Fig. 93) with
solvent and dry them with compressed air.
INSPECTION
Inspect the servo components (Fig. 94). Replace the
springs if collapsed, distorted or broken. Replace the
guide, rod and piston if cracked, bent, or worn. Dis-
card the servo snap-ring if distorted or warped.Check the servo piston bore for wear. If the bore is
severely scored, or damaged, it will be necessary to
replace the case.
Fig. 92 Front Servo
1 - PISTON RINGS
2 - O-RING
3 - SNAP-RING
4 - SEAL RING
5 - PISTON ROD GUIDE
6 - SNAP-RING
7 - SERVO SPRING
8 - PISTON ROD
9 - SERVO PISTON
Fig. 93 Front Servo Piston
1 - PISTON RINGS
2 - O-RING
3 - SNAP-RING
4 - SEAL RING
5 - PISTON ROD GUIDE
6 - SNAP-RING
7 - SERVO SPRING
8 - PISTON ROD
9 - SERVO PISTON
Fig. 94 Front Servo Piston
1 - PISTON RINGS
2 - O-RING
3 - SNAP-RING
4 - SEAL RING
5 - PISTON ROD GUIDE
6 - SNAP-RING
7 - SERVO SPRING
8 - PISTON ROD
9 - SERVO PISTON
21 - 378 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE
FRONT SERVO (Continued)

Replace any servo component if doubt exists about
condition. Do not reuse suspect parts.
ASSEMBLY
Clean and inspect front servo components.
(1) Lubricate new o-ring and seal rings with petro-
leum jelly and install them on piston, guide and rod.
(2) Install rod in piston. Install spring and washer
on rod. Compress spring and install snap-ring (Fig.
95).
OIL PUMP
DESCRIPTION
The oil pump (Fig. 96) is located in the pump hous-
ing inside the bell housing of the transmission case.
The oil pump consists of an inner and outer gear
(Fig. 97), a housing, and a cover that also serves as
the reaction shaft support.
OPERATION
As the torque converter rotates, the converter hub
rotates the inner and outer gears. As the gears
rotate, the clearance between the gear teeth
increases in the crescent area, and creates a suction
at the inlet side of the pump. This suction draws
fluid through the pump inlet from the oil pan. As the
clearance between the gear teeth in the crescent areadecreases, it forces pressurized fluid into the pump
outlet and to the valve body.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - OIL PUMP VOLUME
CHECK
Measuring the oil pump output volume will deter-
mine if sufficient oil flow to the transmission oil
cooler exists, and whether or not an internal trans-
mission failure is present.
Verify that the transmission fluid is at the proper
level. Refer to the Fluid Level Check procedure in
this section. If necessary, fill the transmission to the
proper level with MopartATF +4, type 9602, Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid.
(1) Disconnect theTo coolerline at the cooler
inlet and place a collecting container under the dis-
connected line.
Fig. 95 Front Servo
1 - PISTON RINGS
2 - O-RING
3 - SNAP-RING
4 - SEAL RING
5 - PISTON ROD GUIDE
6 - SNAP-RING
7 - SERVO SPRING
8 - PISTON ROD
9 - SERVO PISTON
Fig. 96 Oil Pump and Reaction Shaft Support
1 - REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT
2 - PUMP
Fig. 97 Pump Gear Removal
1 - REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT
2 - INNER GEAR
3 - OUTER GEAR
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 379
FRONT SERVO (Continued)

CAUTION: With the fluid set at the proper level,
fluid collection should not exceed (1) quart or inter-
nal damage to the transmission may occur.
(2) Run the engineat curb idle speed, with the
shift selector in neutral.
(3) If one quart of transmission fluid is collected in
the container in 20 seconds or less, oil pump flow vol-
ume is within acceptable limits. If fluid flow is inter-
mittent, or it takes more than 20 seconds to collect
one quart of fluid, refer to the Hydraulic Pressure
tests in this section for further diagnosis.
(4) Re-connect theTo coolerline to the transmis-
sion cooler inlet.
(5) Refill the transmission to proper level.
DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove seal ring from housing and reaction
shaft support (Fig. 98).
(2) Mark pump housing and support assembly for
alignment reference.
(3) Remove bolts attaching pump body to support
(Fig. 99).
(4) Separate support from pump housing (Fig.
100).
(5) Remove inner and outer gears from reaction
shaft support (Fig. 101).
(6) If pump seal was not removed during transmis-
sion disassembly, remove seal with punch and ham-
mer.
Fig. 101 Pump Gear Removal
1 - REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT
2 - INNER GEAR
3 - OUTER GEAR
Fig. 98 Removing Pump Seal Ring
1 - PUMP HOUSING SEAL RING
Fig. 99 Pump Support Bolts
1 - REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT
2 - PUMP
Fig. 100 Separating Pump Housing From Reaction
Shaft Support
1 - REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT
2 - PUMP HOUSING
21 - 380 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE
OIL PUMP (Continued)

(7) Remove front clutch thrust washer from sup-
port hub (Fig. 102).
OIL PUMP BUSHING REPLACEMENT
(1) Remove pump bushing with Tool Handle
C-4171 and Bushing Remover SP-3551 from Tool Set
C-3887-J (Fig. 103).
(2) Install new pump bushing with Tool Handle
C-4171 and Bushing Installer SP-5117 (Fig. 103).
Bushing should be flush with pump housing bore.
(3) Stake new pump bushing in two places with
blunt punch (Fig. 104). Remove burrs from stake
points with knife blade afterward.
REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT BUSHING REMOVAL
(1) Assemble Bushing Remover Tools SP-1191,
3633 and 5324 (Fig. 105). Do not clamp any part of
reaction shaft or support in vise.
(2) Hold Cup Tool SP-3633 firmly against reaction
shaft and thread remover SP-5324 into bushing as
far as possible by hand. Then thread remover tool 3-4
additional turns into bushing with a wrench.
(3) Turn remover tool hex nut down against
remover cup to pull bushing from shaft. Clean all
chips from shaft after bushing removal.
(4) Lightly grip old bushing in vise or with pliers
and back remover tool out of bushing.
(5) Assemble Bushing Installer Tools C-4171 and
SP-5325 (Fig. 105).
(6) Slide new bushing onto Installer Tool SP-5325.
(7) Position reaction shaft support upright on a
clean smooth surface.
(8) Align bushing in bore. Then tap bushing into
place until Bushing Installer SP-5325 bottoms.(9) Clean reaction shaft support thoroughly after
installing bushing.
CLEANING
Clean pump and support components with solvent
and dry them with compressed air.
Fig. 102 Support Hub Thrust Washer
1 - BUSHING
2 - REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT
3 - THRUST WASHER
4 - HUB
Fig. 103 Removing Oil Pump Bushing
1 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171
2 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-3551
3 - BUSHING
4 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-5117
5 - BUSHING
6 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171
7 - PUMP HOUSING
Fig. 104 Staking Oil Pump Bushing
1 - NARROW BLADE
2 - BLUNT PUNCH
3 - TWO STAKES
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 381
OIL PUMP (Continued)

INSPECTION
Check condition of the seal rings and thrust
washer on the reaction shaft support. The seal rings
do not need to be replaced unless cracked, broken, or
severely worn.
Inspect the pump and support components. Replace
the pump or support if the seal ring grooves or
machined surfaces are worn, scored, pitted, or dam-
aged. Replace the pump gears if pitted, worn
chipped, or damaged.
Inspect the pump bushing. Then check the reaction
shaft support bushing. Replace either bushing only if
heavily worn, scored or damaged. It is not necessary to
replace the bushings unless they are actually damaged.
Clearance between outer gear and reaction shaft
housing should be 0.010 to 0.063 mm (0.0004 to 0.0025
in.). Clearance between inner gear and reaction shaft
housing should be 0.010 to 0.063 mm (0.0004 to 0.0025
in.). Both clearances can be measured at the same time
by installing the gears in the pump body and measure
pump component clearances as follows:
(1) Position an appropriate piece of PlastigageŸ
across both gears.
(2) Align the plastigage to a flat area on the reac-
tion shaft housing.
(3) Install the reaction shaft to the pump housing.
(4) Separate the reaction shaft housing from the
pump housing and measure the PlastigageŸ follow-
ing the instructions supplied with it.
Clearance between inner gear tooth and outer gear
should be 0.08 to 0.19 mm (0.0035 to 0.0075 in.).
Measure clearance with an appropriate feeler gauge.Clearance between outer gear and pump housing
should be 0.10 to 0.19 mm (0.004 to 0.0075 in.). Mea-
sure clearance with an appropriate feeler gauge.
ASSEMBLY
(1) Lubricate gear bore in pump housing with
transmission fluid.
(2) Lubricate pump gears with transmission fluid.
(3)
Support pump housing on wood blocks (Fig. 106).
(4)Install outer gear in pump housing (Fig. 106).
Gear can be installed either way (it is not a one-way
fit).
(5) Install pump inner gear (Fig. 107).
CAUTION: The pump inner gear is a one way fit.
The bore on one side of the gear inside diameter
(I.D.) is chamfered. Be sure the chamfered side
faces forward (to front of pump).
Fig. 105 Replacing Reaction Shaft Support Bushing
1 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-1191
2 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-3633
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171
4 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-5325
5 - REACTION SHAFT
6 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-5324
7 - BUSHING
Fig. 106 Supporting Pump And Installing Outer Gear
1 - OUTER GEAR
2 - PUMP HOUSING
3 - WOOD BLOCKS
Fig. 107 Pump Inner Gear Installation
1 - OUTER GEAR
2 - INNER GEAR
21 - 382 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE
OIL PUMP (Continued)

(6) Install new thrust washer on hub of reaction
shaft support. Lubricate washer with transmission
fluid or petroleum jelly.
(7) If reaction shaft seal rings are being replaced,
install new seal rings on support hub (Fig. 108).
Lubricate seal rings with transmission fluid or petro-
leum jelly after installation. Squeeze each ring until
ring ends are securely hooked together.
CAUTION: The reaction shaft support seal rings will
break if overspread, or twisted. If new rings are
being installed, spread them only enough for instal-
lation. Also be very sure the ring ends are securely
hooked together after installation. Otherwise, the
rings will either prevent pump installation, or break
during installation.
(8) Install reaction shaft support on pump housing
(Fig. 109).
(9) Align reaction support on pump housing. Use
alignment marks made at disassembly. Or, rotate
support until bolt holes in support and pump housing
are all aligned (holes are offset for one-way fit).(10) Install all bolts that attach support to pump
housing. Then tighten bolts finger tight.
(11) Tighten support-to-pump bolts to required
torque as follows:
(a) Reverse pump assembly and install it in
transmission case. Position pump so bolts are fac-
ing out and are accessible.
(b) Secure pump assembly in case with 2 or 3
bolts, or with pilot studs.
(c) Tighten support-to-pump bolts to 20 N´m (15
ft. lbs.).
(d) Remove pump assembly from transmission
case.
(12) Install new oil seal in pump with Special Tool
C-4193 and Tool Handle C-4171 (Fig. 110). Be sure
seal lip faces inward.
(13) Install new seal ring around pump housing.
Be sure seal is properly seated in groove.
(14) Lubricate lip of pump oil seal and O-ring seal
with transmission fluid.
Fig. 108 Hub Seal Ring Position
1 - SEAL RINGS
2 - SUPPORT HUB
Fig. 109 Assembling Reaction Shaft Support And
Pump Housing
1 - PUMP HOUSING
2 - REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT
Fig. 110 Pump Oil Seal Installation
1 - PUMP BODY
2 - PUMP SEAL
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4193
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 383
OIL PUMP (Continued)

OUTPUT SHAFT FRONT
BEARING
REMOVAL
(1) Remove overdrive unit from the vehicle.
(2) Remove overdrive geartrain from housing.
(3) Remove snap-ring holding output shaft front
bearing to overdrive geartrain. (Fig. 111).
(4) Pull bearing from output shaft.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place replacement bearing in position on
geartrain with locating retainer groove toward the
rear.
(2) Push bearing onto shaft until the snap-ring
groove is visible.
(3) Install snap-ring to hold bearing onto output
shaft.
(4) Install overdrive geartrain into housing.
(5) Install overdrive unit in vehicle.
OUTPUT SHAFT REAR
BEARING
REMOVAL
(1) Remove overdrive unit from the vehicle. (Refer
to 21 - TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/AUTOMATIC/
OVERDRIVE - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove overdrive geartrain from housing.
(3) Remove snap-ring holding output shaft rear
bearing into overdrive housing (Fig. 112).
(4) Using a suitable driver inserted through the
rear end of housing, drive bearing from housing.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place replacement bearing in position in hous-
ing.
(2) Using a suitable driver, drive bearing into
housing until the snap-ring groove is visible.
(3) Install snap-ring to hold bearing into housing
(Fig. 112).
(4) Install overdrive geartrain into housing.
(5) Install overdrive unit in vehicle.
Fig. 111 Output Shaft Front Bearing
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT FRONT BEARING
2 - SNAP-RING
3 - OUTPUT SHAFT
4 - GROOVE TO REAR
5 - OVERDRIVE GEARTRAIN
Fig. 112 Output Shaft Rear Bearing
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT REAR BEARING
2 - OVERDRIVE HOUSING
3 - SNAP-RING
21 - 384 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE

OVERDRIVE CLUTCH
DESCRIPTION
The overdrive clutch (Fig. 113) is composed of the
pressure plate, clutch plates, holding discs, overdrive
piston retainer, piston, piston spacer, and snap-rings.
The overdrive clutch is the forwardmost component
in the transmission overdrive unit and is considered
a holding component. The overdrive piston retainer,
piston, and piston spacer are located on the rear of
the main transmission case.
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
piston retainer and piston. The fluid pressure is pro-
vided by the oil pump, transferred through the control
valves and passageways, and enters the clutch through
passages at the lower rear portion of the valve body
area. With pressure applied between the piston retainer
and piston, the piston moves away from the piston
retainer and compresses the clutch pack. This action
applies the clutch pack, allowing torque to flow through
the intermediate shaft into the overdrive planetary gear
set. The overdrive clutch discs are attached to the over-
drive clutch hub while the overdrive clutch plates, reac-
tion plate, and pressure plate are lugged to the
overdrive housing. This allows the intermediate shaft totransfer the engine torque to the planetary gear and
overrunning clutch. This drives the planetary gear
inside the annulus, which is attached to the overdrive
clutch drum and output shaft, creating the desired gear
ratio. The waved snap-ring is used to cushion the appli-
cation of the clutch pack.
OVERDRIVE SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The overdrive OFF (control) switch is located in
the shift lever arm (Fig. 114). The switch is a
momentary contact device that signals the PCM to
toggle current status of the overdrive function.
OPERATION
At key-on, overdrive operation is allowed. Pressing
the switch once causes the overdrive OFF mode to be
entered and the overdrive OFF switch lamp to be illu-
minated. Pressing the switch a second time causes nor-
mal overdrive operation to be restored and the overdrive
lamp to be turned off. The overdrive OFF mode defaults
to ON after the ignition switch is cycled OFF and ON.
The normal position for the control switch is the ON
position. The switch must be in this position to energize
the solenoid and allow a 3-4 upshift. The control switch
indicator light illuminates only when the overdrive
switch is turned to the OFF position, or when illumi-
nated by the transmission control module.
Fig. 113 Overdrive Clutch
1 - REACTION PLATE 2 - PRESSURE PLATE
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 385