app DODGE RAM 2003 Service Repair Manual

(11) Install reaction plate followed by waved snap-
ring.
(12) Check clutch pack clearance with feeler gauge
(Fig. 98). Clearance between waved spring and pres-
sure plate should 2.5-4.09 mm (0.098-0.161 in.). If
clearance is incorrect, clutch plates, clutch discs,
snap-ring, or pressure plate may have to be changed.
FRONT SERVO
DESCRIPTION
The kickdown servo (Fig. 99) 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.
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.
Fig. 98 Typical Method Of Measuring Front Clutch
Pack Clearance
1 - FEELER GAUGE
2 - WAVED SNAP-RING
3 - FEELER GAUGE
Fig. 99 Front Servo
1 - VENT
2 - INNER PISTON
3 - PISTON
4 - SPRING
5 - RELEASE PRESSURE
6 - APPLY PRESSURE
7 - PISTON ROD
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48RE 21 - 387
FRONT CLUTCH (Continued)

DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove seal ring from rod guide (Fig. 100).
(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. 101) with
solvent and dry them with compressed air.
INSPECTION
Inspect the servo components (Fig. 102). Replace
the springs if collapsed, distorted or broken. Replace
the guide, rod and piston if cracked, bent, or worn.
Discard 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.
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.
Fig. 100 Front Servo
1 - PISTON RINGS
2 - SERVO PISTON
3 - O-RING
4 - SNAP-RING
5 - PISTON ROD GUIDE
6 - SEAL RING
7 - SNAP-RING
8 - SERVO SPRING
9 - WASHER
10 - SPRING
11 - PISTON ROD
Fig. 101 Front Servo
1 - VENT
2 - INNER PISTON
3 - PISTON
4 - SPRING
5 - RELEASE PRESSURE
6 - APPLY PRESSURE
7 - PISTON ROD
Fig. 102 Front Servo
1 - PISTON RINGS
2 - SERVO PISTON
3 - O-RING
4 - SNAP-RING
5 - PISTON ROD GUIDE
6 - SEAL RING
7 - SNAP-RING
8 - SERVO SPRING
9 - WASHER
10 - SPRING
11 - PISTON ROD
21 - 388 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48REDR
FRONT SERVO (Continued)

(2) Install rod in piston. Install spring and washer
on rod. Compress spring and install snap-ring (Fig.
103).
GEARSHIFT CABLE
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - GEARSHIFT
CABLE
(1) Engine starts must be possible with shift lever
in PARK or NEUTRAL positions only. Engine starts
must not be possible in any other gear position.
(2) With the shift lever in the:
(a) PARK position - Apply upward force on the
shift arm and remove pressure. Engine starts must
be possible.
(b) PARK position - Apply downward force on
the shift arm and remove pressure. Engine starts
must be possible.
(c) NEUTRAL position - Normal position. Engine
starts must be possible.
(d) NEUTRAL position - Engine running and
brakes applied, apply upward force on the shift
arm. Transmission shall not be able to shift from
neutral to reverse.
REMOVAL
(1) Shift transmission into PARK.
(2) Raise vehicle.(3) Disengage cable eyelet at transmission shift
lever and pull cable adjuster out of mounting bracket
(Fig. 104) or (Fig. 105).
Fig. 103 Front Servo
1 - PISTON RINGS
2 - SERVO PISTON
3 - O-RING
4 - SNAP-RING
5 - PISTON ROD GUIDE
6 - SEAL RING
7 - SNAP-RING
8 - SERVO SPRING
9 - WASHER
10 - SPRING
11 - PISTON ROD
Fig. 104 Gearshift Cable at Transmission - RFE
1 - GEARSHIFT CABLE
2 - RFE TRANSMISSION
3 - MANUAL LEVER
Fig. 105 Gearshift Cable at Transmission - RE
1 - GEARSHIFT CABLE
2 - RE TRANSMISSION
3 - MANUAL LEVER
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48RE 21 - 389
FRONT SERVO (Continued)

(4) Raise the vehicle.
(5) Place the transmission manual shift lever in
the ªPARKº detent (rearmost) position and rotate
prop shaft to ensure transmission is in PARK.
(6) Route the gearshift cable through the transmis-
sion mounting bracket and secure the cable by snap-
ping the cable retaining ears into the transmission
bracket and snapping the cable eyelet on the manual
shift lever ball stud.
(7) Lower vehicle.
(8) Lock the shift cable adjustment by pressing the
cable adjuster lock tab downward until it snaps into
place.
(9) Check for proper operation of the transmission
range sensor.
(10) Adjust the gearshift cable and BTSI mecha-
nism as necessary.
ADJUSTMENTS
GEARSHIFT CABLE
Check adjustment by starting the engine in PARK
and NEUTRAL. Adjustment is CORRECT if the
engine starts only in these positions. Adjustment is
INCORRECT if the engine starts in one but not both
positions. If the engine starts in any position other
than PARK or NEUTRAL, or if the engine will not
start at all, the transmission range sensor may be
faulty.
Gearshift Adjustment Procedure
(1) Shift transmission into PARK.
(2) Release cable adjuster lock tab (underneath the
steering column) (Fig. 110) to unlock cable.
(3) Raise vehicle.
(4) Disengage the cable eyelet from the transmis-
sion manual shift lever.(5) Verify transmission shift lever is in PARK
detent by moving lever fully rearward. Last rearward
detent is PARK position.
(6) Verify positive engagement of transmission
park lock by attempting to rotate propeller shaft.
Shaft will not rotate when park lock is engaged.
(7) Snap the cable eyelet onto the transmission
manual shift lever.
(8) Lower vehicle.
(9) Lock shift cable by pressing cable adjuster lock
tab downward until it snaps into place.
(10) Check engine starting. Engine should start
only in PARK and NEUTRAL
Fig. 110 Gearshift Cable at Steering Column
1 - STEERING COLUMN
2 - GEARSHIFT CABLE
3 - GEARSHIFT CABLE LOCK TAB
4 - BTSI SOLENOID LOCK TAB
5 - BTSI CONNECTOR
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48RE 21 - 391
GEARSHIFT CABLE (Continued)

DISASSEMBLY
(1) Mark position of support in oil pump body for
assembly alignment reference. Use scriber or paint to
make alignment marks.
(2) Place pump body on two wood blocks.
(3) Remove reaction shaft support bolts and sepa-
rate support from pump body (Fig. 112).
(4) Remove pump inner and outer gears (Fig. 113).
(5) Remove o-ring seal from pump body (Fig. 114).
Discard seal after removal.
(6) Remove oil pump seal with Remover Tool
C-3981. Discard seal after removal.
CLEANING
Clean pump and support components with solvent
and dry them with compressed air.
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 dam-
aged.
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 reac-
tion shaft housing should be 0.010 to 0.063 mm
(0.0004 to 0.0025 in.). Both clearances can be mea-sured 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 0.051 to 0.19 mm (0.002 to 0.0075 in.).
Measure clearance with an appropriate feeler gauge
(Fig. 115).
Clearance between outer gear and pump housing
should be 0.10 to 0.229 mm (0.004 to 0.009 in.). Mea-
sure clearance with an appropriate feeler gauge.
ASSEMBLY
(1) Lubricate pump gears with transmission fluid
and install them in pump body.
(2) Install thrust washer on reaction shaft support
hub. Lubricate washer with petroleum jelly or trans-
mission fluid before installation.
(3) If reaction shaft seal rings are being replaced,
install new seal rings on support hub. Lubricate seal
rings with transmission fluid or petroleum jelly after
installation. Squeeze each ring until ring ends are
securely hooked together.
Fig. 112 Reaction Shaft Support
1 - OIL PUMP
2 - REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT
Fig. 113 Pump Gears
1 - GEAR BORE
2 - PUMP BODY
3 - INNER GEAR
4 - OUTER GEAR
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48RE 21 - 393
OIL PUMP (Continued)

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. 118).
(4) Install overdrive geartrain into housing.
(5) Install overdrive unit in vehicle.
OVERDRIVE CLUTCH
DESCRIPTION
The overdrive clutch (Fig. 119) 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
provided 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 over-
drive clutch discs are attached to the overdrive clutch
hub while the overdrive clutch plates, reaction plate,
and pressure plate are lugged to the overdrive hous-
ing. This allows the intermediate shaft to transfer
the engine torque to the planetary gear and overrun-
ning 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
application of the clutch pack for the 5 disc version of
the overdrive clutch. The 6 disc overdrive clutch does
not use a waved snap-ring.
Fig. 119 Overdrive Clutch
1 - REACTION PLATE 2 - PRESSURE PLATE
21 - 396 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48REDR
OUTPUT SHAFT REAR BEARING (Continued)

(7) Remove snap-ring that retains rear bearing on
output shaft.
(8) Remove rear bearing from output shaft (Fig.
139).
DIRECT CLUTCH, HUB AND SPRING
WARNING: THE NEXT STEP IN DISASSEMBLY
INVOLVES COMPRESSING THE DIRECT CLUTCH
SPRING. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT
PROPER EQUIPMENT BE USED TO COMPRESS
THE SPRING AS SPRING FORCE IS APPROXI-
MATELY 830 POUNDS. USE SPRING COMPRESSOR
TOOL 6227-1 AND A HYDRAULIC SHOP PRESS
WITH A MINIMUM RAM TRAVEL OF 5-6 INCHES.
THE PRESS MUST ALSO HAVE A BED THAT CAN
BE ADJUSTED UP OR DOWN AS REQUIRED.
RELEASE CLUTCH SPRING TENSION SLOWLY AND
COMPLETELY TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Mount geartrain assembly in shop press (Fig.
140).
(2) Position Compressor Tool 6227-1 on clutch hub
(Fig. 140). Support output shaft flange with steel
press plates as shown and center assembly under
press ram.
(3) Apply press pressure slowly. Compress hub and
spring far enough to expose clutch hub retaining ring
and relieve spring pressure on clutch pack snap-ring
(Fig. 140).
Fig. 139 Rear Bearing Removal
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - REAR BEARING
3 - SNAP-RING
Fig. 140 Geartrain Mounted In Shop Press
1 - PRESS RAM
2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-3995-A (OR SIMILAR TOOL)
3 - CLUTCH HUB
4 - PLATES
5 - PRESS BED
6 - SPECIAL TOOL 6227-1
21 - 402 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48REDR
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)

(18) Install clutch hub and clutch pack on direct
clutch spring (Fig. 166). Be sure hub is started on
sun gear splines before proceeding.
WARNING: THE NEXT STEP IN GEARTRAIN
ASSEMBLY INVOLVES COMPRESSING THE DIRECT
CLUTCH HUB AND SPRING. IT IS EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT THAT PROPER EQUIPMENT BE USED
TO COMPRESS THE SPRING AS SPRING FORCE IS
APPROXIMATELY 830 POUNDS. USE COMPRES-
SOR TOOL C-6227-1 AND A HYDRAULIC-TYPE
SHOP PRESS WITH A MINIMUM RAM TRAVEL OF 6
INCHES. THE PRESS MUST ALSO HAVE A BED
THAT CAN BE ADJUSTED UP OR DOWN AS
REQUIRED. RELEASE CLUTCH SPRING TENSION
SLOWLY AND COMPLETELY TO AVOID PERSONAL
INJURY.
(19) Position Compressor Tool 6227-1 on clutch
hub.
(20) Compress clutch hub and spring just enough
to place tension on hub and hold it in place.
(21) Slowly compress clutch hub and spring. Com-
press spring and hub only enough to expose ring
grooves for clutch pack snap-ring and clutch hub
retaining ring.
(22) Realign clutch pack on hub and seat clutch
discs and plates in clutch drum.(23) Install direct clutch pack snap-ring (Fig. 167).
Be very sure snap-ring is fully seated in clutch drum
ring groove.
(24) Install clutch hub retaining ring (Fig. 168). Be
very sure retaining ring is fully seated in sun gear
ring groove.
(25) Slowly release press ram, remove compressor
tools and remove geartrain assembly.
Fig. 166 Direct Clutch Pack And Clutch Hub
Installation
1 - CLUTCH HUB
2 - DIRECT CLUTCH PACK
3 - CLUTCH DRUM
Fig. 167 Direct Clutch Pack Snap-Ring Installation
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6227-1
2 - DIRECT CLUTCH PACK SNAP-RING
Fig. 168 Clutch Hub Retaining Ring Installation
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6227-1
2 - CLUTCH HUB RETAINING RING
21 - 410 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48REDR
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)

(8) Expand front bearing locating ring with snap-
ring pliers (Fig. 173). Then slide case downward until
locating ring locks in bearing groove and release
snap-ring.
(9) Install locating ring access cover and gasket in
overdrive unit case (Fig. 174).
OVERDRIVE CLUTCH
NOTE: The overdrive clutch in a 48RE transmission
uses 5 or 6 clutch discs depending on the applica-
tion.
(1) Install overdrive clutch reaction ring first.
Reaction ring is flat with notched ends (Fig. 175).
(2) For 5 disc overdrive clutch versions, install
wave spring on top of reaction ring (Fig. 176). Reac-
tion ring and wave ring both fit in same ring groove.
Use screwdriver to seat each ring securely in groove.Also ensure that the ends of the two rings are offset
from each other.
(3) Assemble overdrive clutch pack.
(4) Install overdrive clutch reaction plate first.
(5) Install first clutch disc followed by first clutch
plate. Then install remaining clutch discs and plates
in same order.
(6) Install clutch pack pressure plate.
(7) Install clutch pack wire-type retaining ring
(Fig. 177).
INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SPACER SELECTION
(1) Place overdrive unit in vertical position. Mount
it on blocks, or in workbench with appropriate size
mounting hole cut into it. Be sure unit is facing
upward for access to direct clutch hub. Also be sure
output shaft is not loaded and internal components
are moved rearward for accurate measurement.
(2) Determine correct thickness intermediate shaft
spacer as follows:
(a) Insert Special Tool 6312 through sun gear,
planetary gear and into pilot bushing in output
shaft. Be sure tool bottoms against planetary
shoulder.
Fig. 173 Seating Locating Ring In Rear Bearing
1 - EXPAND BEARING LOCATING RING WITH SNAP-RING
PLIERS
2 - ACCESS HOLE
Fig. 174 Locating Ring Access Cover And Gasket
Installation
1 - TORX SCREWDRIVER (T25)
2 - ACCESS COVER SCREWS
Fig. 175 Overdrive Clutch Reaction Ring Installation
1 - REACTION RING
2 - CLUTCH HUB
Fig. 176 Overdrive Clutch Wave Spring Installation -
5 Disc Clutch Only
1 - WAVE SPRING
21 - 412 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48REDR
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)

(b) Position Gauge Tool 6311 across face of over-
drive case (Fig. 178). Then position Dial Caliper
C-4962 over gauge tool.
(c) Extend sliding scale of dial caliper downward
through gauge tool slot until scale contacts end of
Gauge Alignment Tool 6312. Lock scale in place.
Remove dial caliper tool and note distance mea-
sured (Fig. 178).
(d) Select proper thickness end play spacer from
spacer chart based on distance measured (Fig.
179).
(e) Remove Gauge Alignment Tool 6312.
OD THRUST PLATE SELECTION
(1) Place overdrive unit in vertical position. Mount
it on blocks, or in workbench with appropriate size
mounting hole cut into it. Be sure unit is facingupward for access to direct clutch hub. Also be sure
output shaft is not loaded and internal components
are moved rearward for accurate measurement.
(2) Determine correct thickness overdrive piston
thrust plate as follows:
(a) Position Gauge Tool 6311 across face of over-
drive case. Then position Dial Caliper C-4962 over
gauge tool (Fig. 180).
(b) Measure distance to clutch hub thrust bear-
ing seat at four points 90É apart. Then average
measurements by adding them and dividing by 4.
(c) Select and install required thrust plate from
information in thrust plate chart (Fig. 181).
(3) Leave Alignment Tool 6227-2 in place. Tool will
keep planetary and clutch hub splines in alignment
until overdrive unit is ready for installation on trans-
mission.
(4) Transmission speed sensor can be installed at
this time if desired. However, it is recommended that
sensor not be installed until after overdrive unit is
secured to transmission.
Fig. 177 Overdrive Clutch Pack Retaining Ring
Installation
1 - OVERDRIVE CLUTCH PACK RETAINING RING
Fig. 178 Shaft End Play Measurement
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6312
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6311
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4962
Fig. 179 Intermediate Shaft End Play Spacer
Selection
Fig. 180 Overdrive Piston Thrust Plate Measurement
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6311
2 - DIRECT CLUTCH HUB THRUST BEARING SEAT
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4962
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 48RE 21 - 413
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)