Page 3041 of 4284
Differential Tool L-4436A
Housing Remover Adapter L-4437
Starter Nut L-4439
Transfer Shaft Remover-Installer L-4512
Bearing Cup Remover L-4517
Special Jaw Set L-4518
Installer L-4520
End Play Socket Set 8266
Bearing Splitter P-334
RSAUTOMATIC - 31TH21-77
AUTOMATIC - 31TH (Continued)
Page 3042 of 4284

ACCUMULATOR
DESCRIPTION
The accumulator (Fig. 105) is a hydraulic device
that has the sole purpose of cushioning the applica-
tion of a band or clutch. The accumulator consists of
a dual-land piston and a spring located in a bore in
the transmission case.
OPERATION
Line pressure is directed between the lands of the
piston (Fig. 106), bottoming it against the accumula-
tor plate. The accumulator stays in this position after
the transmission is placed into a Drive position.
When the 1-2 upshift occurs (Fig. 107), line pressure
is directed to the large end of the piston and then to
the kickdown servo. As the line pressure reaches the
accumulator, the combination of spring pressure and
line pressure forces the piston away from the accu-
mulator plate. This causes a balanced pressure situ-
ation, which results in a cushioned band application.
After the kickdown servo has become immovable, line
pressure will finish pushing the accumulator up into
its bore. When the large end of the accumulator pis-
ton is seated in its bore, the band or clutch is fully
applied.
NOTE: The accumulator is shown in the inverted
position for illustrative purposes.
Fig. 105 Accumulator
1 - ACCUMULATOR PISTON
2 - PISTON SPRINGFig. 106 Accumulator in Neutral and Drive Positions
Fig. 107 Accumulator in Second Gear Position
1 - BOTTOM IN BORE
2 - SHUTTLE VALVE
21 - 78 AUTOMATIC - 31THRS
Page 3043 of 4284

BANDS
KICKDOWN (FRONT) BAND
DESCRIPTION
The kickdown, or ªfrontº, band (Fig. 108) holds the
common sun gear of the planetary gear sets. The
front (kickdown) band is made of steel, and faced on
its inner circumference with a friction-type lining.
One end of the band is anchored to the transmission
case, and the other is acted on with a pushing force
by a servo piston. The front band is a single-wrap
design (the band does not completely encompass/
wrap the drum that it holds).
OPERATION
The kickdown band holds the common sun gear of
the planetary gear sets by applying and holding the
front clutch retainer, which is splined to the sun gear
driving shell, and in turn splined directly to the sun
gear. The application of the band by the servo is typ-
ically done by an apply lever and link bar.
LOW/REVERSE (REAR) BAND
DESCRIPTION
The low/reverse band, or ªrearº, band (Fig. 109) is
similar in appearance and operation to the front
band. The rear band is also a single-wrap design (
the band does not completely encompass/wrap the
drum that it holds).
OPERATION
The rear band holds the rear planet carrier sta-
tionary by being mounted around and applied to the
low/reverse drum.
ADJUSTMENT - FRONT BAND
The front (kickdown) band adjusting screw is
located on the left side of the transmission case
above the manual valve and throttle valve levers.
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable.
(2) Remove air cleaner assembly.
(3) Loosen band adjusting screw locknut (Fig. 110).
Then back locknut off 3-5 turns. Be sure adjusting
screw turns freely in case. Apply lubricant to screw
threads if necessary.
(4) Tighten band adjusting screw to 8 N´m (72 in.
lbs.).
Fig. 108 Front BandÐTypical
1 - FRONT BAND
2 - TRANSMISSION HOUSING
Fig. 109 Rear Band
1 - PLANETARY GEARTRAIN
2 - REAR BAND
3 - LEVER
4 - SERVO
5 - ADJUSTER
Fig. 110 Front (Kickdown) Band Adjustment
Location
1 - KICKDOWN BAND ADJUSTING SCREW
RSAUTOMATIC - 31TH21-79
Page 3044 of 4284

(5) Back off front band adjusting screw 2ò turns.
(6) Hold adjuster screw in position and tighten
locknut to 47 N´m (35 ft. lbs.) torque.
(7) Install air cleaner assembly.
(8) Connect battery negative cable.
ADJUSTMENTS - REAR BAND
The transmission oil pan must be removed for
access to the rear (low/reverse) band adjusting screw.
(1) Raise vehicle.
(2) Remove transaxle oil pan and drain fluid (Fig.
111) (Fig. 112).(3) Loosen band adjusting screw locknut 5-6 turns.
Be sure adjusting screw turns freely in lever.
(4) Tighten adjusting screw to 5 N´m (41 in. lbs.)
(Fig. 113).
(5) Back off adjusting screw 3 turns.
(6) Hold adjusting screw in place and tighten lock-
nut to 14 N´m (125 ft. lbs.) torque.
(7) Install a bead of Moparž Silicone Rubber Adhe-
sive Sealant to the oil pan and install to case imme-
diately.
(8) Install oil pan-to-case bolts and torque to 19
N´m (165 in. lbs.).
(9) Lower vehicle and refill transmission with
Moparž ATF Plus 4, Type 9602, fluid.
CLUTCH - FRONT
DESCRIPTION
The front clutch assembly (Fig. 119) is composed of
the front clutch retainer, pressure plate, clutch
plates, driving discs, piston, piston return spring,
return spring retainer, and snap-rings. The front
clutch is the forward-most component in the trans-
mission geartrain and is directly behind the oil
pump. It is considered a driving component.
NOTE: The number of discs and plates may vary
with each engine and vehicle combination.
Fig. 111 Transaxle Oil Pan Bolts
1 - TRANSAXLE OIL PAN
2 - OIL PAN BOLTS
Fig. 112 Transaxle Oil Pan
1 - TRANSAXLE OIL PAN
2 - OIL FILTER
Fig. 113 Adjust Low/Reverse Band
1 - LOW-REVERSE BAND LEVER
2 - ADJUSTING SCREW
3 - STRUT
4 - LOW-REVERSE BAND
5 - LOCK NUT
6 - LEVER (SHORT)
21 - 80 AUTOMATIC - 31THRS
BANDS (Continued)
Page 3045 of 4284

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 snap-ring is
used to cushion the application of the clutch pack. In
some transmissions, 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
clutch retainer. The check-valve is needed to elimi-
nate the possibility of plate drag caused by centrifu-
gal force acting on the residual fluid trapped in the
clutch piston retainer.
DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove front clutch waved snap ring using a
suitable screwdriver (Fig. 114).(2) Remove waved snap ring and reaction plate
(Fig. 115).
(3) Remove clutch pack (Fig. 116).
Fig. 114 Front Clutch Waved Snap Ring
1 - WAVED SNAP RING
2 - SCREWDRIVER
3 - FRONT CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Fig. 115 Thick Steel Plate and Waved Snap Ring
1 - WAVED SNAP RING
2 - THICK STEEL PLATE
3 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
Fig. 116 Front Clutch (4-Disc Shown)
1 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
2 - CLUTCH PLATES
3 - DRIVING DISCS
RSAUTOMATIC - 31TH21-81
CLUTCH - FRONT (Continued)
Page 3046 of 4284
(4) Using tool C3575A, compress front clutch
return spring and remove snap ring (Fig. 117).(5) Remove retainer, return spring and piston (Fig.
118) (Fig. 119).
Fig. 117 Front Clutch Return Spring Snap Ring
1 - COMPRESSOR TOOL C-3575-A
2 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
3 - SNAP RING
4 - SNAP RING PLIERS
Fig. 118 Front Clutch Return Spring and Piston
1 - LIP SEALS
2 - PISTON
3 - RETURN SPRING RETAINER
4 - SNAP RING
5 - PISTON RETURN SPRING
6 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
21 - 82 AUTOMATIC - 31THRS
CLUTCH - FRONT (Continued)
Page 3047 of 4284
Fig. 119 Front Clutch Assembly
1 - SNAP RING (WAVE)
2 - REACTION PLATE
3 - CLUTCH DISC
4 - CLUTCH PLATE
5 - SEAL
6 - CLUTCH RETAINER7 - SEAL
8 - PISTON
9 - SPRING
10 - SNAP RING
11 - SPRING RETAINER
RSAUTOMATIC - 31TH21-83
CLUTCH - FRONT (Continued)
Page 3048 of 4284
ASSEMBLY
(1) Install front clutch piston, return spring, and
retainer (Fig. 119) (Fig. 120).
(2) Compress front clutch return spring using Tool
C3575A and install snap ring (Fig. 121).(3) Install front clutch pack (Fig. 122).
(4) Install reaction plate and waved snap ring (Fig.
123) (Fig. 124).
Fig. 120 Front Clutch Return Spring and Piston
1 - LIP SEALS
2 - PISTON
3 - RETURN SPRING RETAINER
4 - SNAP RING
5 - PISTON RETURN SPRING
6 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
Fig. 121 Front Clutch Return Spring Snap Ring
1 - COMPRESSOR TOOL C-3575-A
2 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
3 - SNAP RING
4 - SNAP RING PLIERS
Fig. 122 Front Clutch (4-Disc Shown)
1 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
2 - CLUTCH PLATES
3 - DRIVING DISCS
Fig. 123 Thick Steel Plate and Waved Snap Ring
1 - WAVED SNAP RING
2 - THICK STEEL PLATE
3 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
21 - 84 AUTOMATIC - 31THRS
CLUTCH - FRONT (Continued)