2001 DODGE RAM transmission oil

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
NO REVERSE (OR SLIPS
IN REVERSE)1. Direct Clutch Pack (front clutch)
Worn.1. Disassemble unit and rebuild clutch
pack.
2. Rear Band Mis-adjusted. 2. Adjust band.
3. Front Clutch Malfunctioned/
Burned.3. Air-pressure test clutch operation.
Remove and rebuild if necessary.
4. Overdrive Thrust Bearing Failure. 4. Disassemble geartrain and replace
bearings.
5. Direct Clutch Spring Collapsed/
Broken.5. Remove and disassemble unit. Check
clutch position and replace spring.
OIL LEAKS. 1. Fluid Lines and Fittings Loose/
Leaks/Damaged.1. Tighten fittings. If leaks persist, replace
fittings and lines if necessary.
2. Fill Tube (where tube enters case)
Leaks/Damaged.2. Replace tube seal. Inspect tube for cracks
in fill tube.
3. Pressure Port Plug Loose
Loose/Damaged.3. Tighten to correct torque. Replace plug or
reseal if leak persists.
4. Pan Gasket Leaks. 4. Tighten pan screws (150 in. lbs.). If leaks
persist, replace gasket.
5. Valve Body Manual Lever Shaft Seal
Leaks/Worn.5. Replace shaft seal.
6. Rear Bearing Access Plate Leaks. 6. Replace gasket. Tighten screws.
7. Gasket Damaged or Bolts are
Loose.7. Replace bolts or gasket or tighten both.
8. Adapter/Extension Gasket Damaged
Leaks/Damaged.8. Replace gasket.
9. Park/Neutral Switch, or
Transmission Range Sensor Leaks/
Damaged.9. Replace switch and gasket.
10. Converter Housing Area Leaks. 10. Check for leaks at seal caused by worn
seal or burr on converter hub (cutting seal),
worn bushing, missing oil return, oil in front
pump housing or hole plugged. Check for
leaks past O-ring seal on pump or past
pump-to-case bolts; pump housing porous, oil
coming out vent due to overfill or leak past
front band shaft access plug.
11. Pump Seal Leaks/Worn/Damaged. 11. Replace seal.
12. Torque Converter Weld Leak/
Cracked Hub.12. Replace converter.
13. Case Porosity Leaks. 13. Replace case.
NOISY OPERATION IN
FOURTH GEAR ONLY1. Overdrive Clutch Discs, Plates or
Snap Rings Damaged.1. Remove unit and rebuild clutch pack.
2. Overdrive Piston or Planetary Thrust
Bearing Damaged.2. Remove and disassemble unit. Replace
either thrust bearing if damaged.
3. Output Shaft Bearings Scored/
Damaged.3. Remove and disassemble unit. Replace
either bearing if damaged.
4. Planetary Gears Worn/Chipped. 4. Remove and overhaul overdrive unit.
5. Overdrive Unit Overrunning Clutch
Rollers Worn/Scored.5. Remove and overhaul overdrive unit.
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 329
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE (Continued)

STANDARD PROCEDURE - ALUMINUM
THREAD REPAIR
Damaged or worn threads in the aluminum trans-
mission case and valve body can be repaired by the
use of Heli-CoilsŸ, or equivalent. This repair con-
sists of drilling out the worn-out damaged threads.
Then tap the hole with a special Heli-CoilŸ tap, or
equivalent, and installing a Heli-CoilŸ insert, or
equivalent, into the hole. This brings the hole back to
its original thread size.
Heli-CoilŸ, or equivalent, tools and inserts are
readily available from most automotive parts suppli-
ers.
REMOVAL
The overdrive unit can be removed and serviced
separately. It is not necessary to remove the entire
transmission assembly to perform overdrive unit
repairs.
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable.
(2) Disconnect and lower or remove necessary
exhaust components.
(3) Remove engine-to-transmission struts, if
equipped (Fig. 13).
(4) Disconnect fluid cooler lines at transmission.
(5) Remove starter motor. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/STARTING/STARTER MOTOR - REMOVAL)(6) Disconnect and remove the crankshaft position
sensor. (Refer to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL INJEC-
TION/CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR -
REMOVAL) Retain the sensor attaching bolts.
(7) Remove torque converter access cover.
(8) If transmission is being removed for overhaul,
remove transmission oil pan, drain fluid and reinstall
pan.
(9) Remove fill tube bracket bolts and pull tube
out of transmission. Retain fill tube seal (Fig. 13). On
4 x 4 models, it will also be necessary to remove bolt
attaching transfer case vent tube to converter hous-
ing (Fig. 14).
(10) Rotate crankshaft in clockwise direction until
converter bolts are accessible. Then remove bolts one
at a time. Rotate crankshaft with socket wrench on
dampener bolt.
(11) Mark propeller shaft and axle yokes for
assembly alignment. Then disconnect and remove
propeller shaft. On4x4models, remove both propel-
ler shafts. (Refer to 3 - DIFFERENTIAL & DRIV-
ELINE/PROPELLER SHAFT/PROPELLER SHAFT -
REMOVAL)
(12) Disconnect wires from park/neutral position
switch and transmission solenoid.
(13) Disconnect gearshift rod and torque shaft
assembly from transmission.
(14) Disconnect throttle valve cable from transmis-
sion bracket and throttle valve lever.
(15) On4x4models, disconnect shift rod from
transfer case shift lever.
(16) Support rear of engine with safety stand or
jack.
Fig. 13 Transmission-To-Engine Strut Attachment
1 - ENGINE BLOCK
2 - STRUT (PASSENGER SIDE)
3 - ENGINE MOUNT
4 - STRUT (DRIVER SIDE)
Fig. 14 Fill Tube Attachment
1 - TRANSFER CASE VENT TUBE
2 - FILL TUBE (V8)
3 - TUBE SEAL
4 - FILL TUBE (V6)
21 - 330 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE (Continued)

(17) Raise transmission slightly with service jack
to relieve load on crossmember and supports.
(18) Remove bolts securing rear support and cush-
ion to transmission and crossmember. Raise trans-
mission slightly, slide exhaust hanger arm from
bracket (Fig. 15) and remove rear support.
(19) Remove bolts attaching crossmember to frame
and remove crossmember.
(20) On4x4models, remove transfer case with
transmission jack or aid of helper.
(21) Remove all converter housing bolts.
(22) Carefully work transmission and torque con-
verter assembly rearward off engine block dowels.
(23) Lower transmission and remove assembly
from under the vehicle.
(24) To remove torque converter, remove C-clamp
from edge of bell housing and carefully slide torque
converter out of the transmission.
DISASSEMBLY
(1) Clean transmission exterior with steam gun or
with solvent. Wear eye protection during cleaning
operations.
(2) Place transmission in a vertical position.
(3)
Measure input shaft end play as follows (Fig. 16).
(a) Attach Adapter 8266-6 to Handle 8266-8.
(b) Attach dial indicator C-3339 to Handle
8266-8.
(c)
Install the assembled tool onto the input shaft
of the transmission and tighten the retaining screw
on Adapter 8266-6 to secure it to the input shaft.
(d)Position the dial indicator plunger against a
flat spot on the oil pump and zero the dial indicator.
(e) Move the input shaft in and out. Record the
maximum travel for assembly reference.(4) Remove shift and throttle levers from valve
body manual lever shaft.
(5) Place transmission in horizontal position.
(6) Remove transmission oil pan and gasket.
(7) Remove filter from valve body (Fig. 17). Keep
filter screws separate from other valve body screws.
Filter screws are longer and should be kept with fil-
ter.
Fig. 15 Rear Support Cushion
1 - EXHAUST PIPE ARM AND BRACKET
2 - CROSSMEMBER
3 - REAR SUPPORT AND CUSHION
Fig. 16 Checking Input Shaft End Play
1 - TOOL 8266-8
2 - TOOL 8266-6
3 - TOOL C-3339
Fig. 17 Oil Filter Removal
1 - OIL FILTER
2 - VALVE BODY
3 - FILTER SCREWS (2)
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 331
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE (Continued)

(8) Remove park/neutral position switch.
(9) Remove hex head bolts attaching valve body to
transmission case (Fig. 18). A total of 10 bolts are
used. Note different bolt lengths for assembly refer-
ence.
(10) Remove valve body assembly. Push valve body
harness connector out of case. Then work park rod
and valve body out of case (Fig. 19).
(11) Remove accumulator piston and inner and
outer springs (Fig. 20).
(12) Remove pump oil seal with suitable pry tool
or slide-hammer mounted screw.
Fig. 18 Valve Body Bolt Locations
1 - VALVE BODY BOLTS
2 - VALVE BODY BOLTS
Fig. 19 Valve Body Removal
1 - GOVERNOR PRESSURE SENSOR
2 - VALVE BODY
3 - PARK ROD
4 - ACCUMULATOR PISTON
5 - GOVERNOR PRESSURE SOLENOID
Fig. 20 Accumulator Piston And Springs
1 - ACCUMULATOR PISTON
2 - OUTER SPRING
3 - INNER SPRING
21 - 332 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE (Continued)

(13) Loosen front band adjusting screw locknut 4-5
turns. Then tighten band adjusting screw until band
is tight around front clutch retainer. This prevents
front/rear clutches from coming out with pump and
possibly damaging clutch or pump components.
(14) Remove oil pump bolts.
(15) Thread bolts of Slide Hammer Tools C-3752
into threaded holes in pump body flange (Fig. 21).
(16) Bump slide hammer weights outward to
remove pump and reaction shaft support assembly
from case (Fig. 21).
(17) Loosen front band adjusting screw until band
is completely loose.
(18) Squeeze front band together and remove band
strut (Fig. 22).
(19) Remove front band lever (Fig. 23).
(20) Remove front band lever shaft plug, if neces-
sary, from converter housing.
(21) Remove front band lever shaft.
Fig. 21 Removing Oil Pump And Reaction Shaft
Support Assembly
1 - OIL PUMP AND REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT ASSEMBLY
2 - SLIDE HAMMER TOOLS C-3752
Fig. 22 Removing Front Band Strut
1 - BAND LEVER
2 - BAND STRUT
3 - FRONT BAND
Fig. 23 Removing Front Band Lever
1 - FRONT BAND LEVER
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 333
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE (Continued)

assembly. Use petroleum jelly, MopartDoor Ease, or
Ru-GlydeŸ to prelubricate seals, O-rings, and thrust
washers. Petroleum jelly can also be used to hold
parts in place during reassembly.
INSPECTION
Inspect the case for cracks, porous spots, worn
bores, or damaged threads. Damaged threads can be
repaired with Helicoil thread inserts. However, the
case will have to be replaced if it exhibits any type of
damage or wear.
Lubricate the front band adjusting screw threads
with petroleum jelly and thread the screw part-way
into the case. Be sure the screw turns freely.
Inspect the transmission bushings during overhaul.
Bushing condition is important as worn, scored bush-
ings contribute to low pressures, clutch slip and
accelerated wear of other components. However, do
not replace bushings as a matter of course. Replace
bushings only when they are actually worn, or
scored.
Use recommended tools to replace bushings. The
tools are sized and designed to remove, install, and
seat bushings correctly. The bushing replacement
tools are included in Bushing Tool Set C-3887-B.
Pre-sized service bushings are available for
replacement purposes. Only the sun gear bushings
are not serviced.
The use of crocus cloth is permissible where neces-
sary, providing it is used carefully. When used on
shafts, or valves, use extreme care to avoid rounding
off sharp edges. Sharp edges are vital as they pre-
vent foreign matter from getting between the valve
and valve bore.
Do not reuse oil seals, gaskets, seal rings, or
O-rings during overhaul. Replace these parts as a
matter of course. Also do not reuse snap rings or
E-clips that are bent or distorted. Replace these parts
as well.
ASSEMBLY
Do not allow dirt, grease, or foreign material to
enter the case or transmission components during
assembly. Keep the transmission case and compo-
nents clean. Also make sure the tools and workbench
area used for assembly operations are equally clean.
Shop towels used for wiping off tools and hands
must be made fromlint freematerial. Lint will stick
to transmission parts and could interfere with valve
operation, or even restrict fluid passages.
Lubricate the transmission components with
Moparttransmission fluid during reassembly. Use
MopartDoor Ease, or Ru-GlydeŸ on seals and
O-rings to ease installation.
Petroleum jelly can also be used to hold thrust
washers, thrust plates and gaskets in position duringassembly. However,do notuse chassis grease, bear-
ing grease, white grease, or similar lubricants on any
transmission part. These types of lubricants can
eventually block or restrict fluid passages and inter-
fere with valve operation. Use petroleum jelly only.
Do not force parts into place. The transmission
components and subassemblies are easily installed by
hand when properly aligned.
If a part seems extremely difficult to install, it is
either misaligned or incorrectly assembled. Also ver-
ify that thrust washers, thrust plates and seal rings
are correctly positioned before assembly. These parts
can interfere with proper assembly if mis-positioned.
The planetary geartrain, front/rear clutch assem-
blies and oil pump are all much easier to install
when the transmission case is upright.
(1) Install rear servo piston, spring and retainer
(Fig. 34). Install spring on top of servo piston and
install retainer on top of spring.
(2) Install front servo piston assembly, servo
spring and rod guide (Fig. 35).
(3) Compress front/rear servo springs with Valve
Spring Compressor C-3422-B and install each servo
snap-ring (Fig. 36).
Fig. 34 Rear Servo Components
1 - SERVO PISTON
2 - PISTON SPRING
3 - SNAP-RING
4 - RETAINER
5 - PISTON SEAL
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 337
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE (Continued)

(15) Align drive teeth on rear clutch discs with
small screwdriver (Fig. 47). This makes installation
on front planetary easier.
(16) Raise front end of transmission upward as far
as possible and support case with wood blocks. Front/
rear clutch and oil pump assemblies are easier to
install if transmission is as close to upright position
as possible.
(17) Slide front band into case.
(18) Install front and rear clutch units as assembly
(Fig. 48). Align rear clutch with front annulus gear
and install assembly in driving shell. Be sure output
shaft thrust washer and thrust plate are not dis-
placed during installation.
(19) Carefully work assembled clutches back and
forth to engage and seat rear clutch discs on front
annulus gear. Also be sure front clutch drive lugs are
fully engaged in slots of driving shell after installa-
tion.
(20) Assemble front band strut.
(21) Install front band adjuster, strut and adjust-
ing screw (Fig. 49).
(22) Tighten band adjusting screw until band just
grips clutch retainer. Verify that front/rear clutches
are still seated before continuing.
Fig. 47 Aligning Rear Clutch Disc Lugs
1 - REAR CLUTCH DISCS
2 - USE SMALL SCREWDRIVER TO ALIGN CLUTCH DISC
TEETH
Fig. 48 Installing Front/Rear Clutch Assemblies
1 - INPUT SHAFT
2 - FRONT CLUTCH
3 - REAR CLUTCH
Fig. 49 Front Band Linkage Installation
1 - BAND LEVER
2 - BAND STRUT
3 - FRONT BAND
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 341
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE (Continued)

(23) Check seal rings on reaction shaft support
hub. Verify that seal rings are hooked together and
that front clutch thrust washer is properly positioned
(Fig. 50). Use petroleum jelly to hold thrust washer
in place if necessary.
(24) Lubricate oil pump body seal with petroleum
jelly. Lubricate pump shaft seal lip with petroleum
jelly.
(25) Thread two Pilot Stud Tools C-3288-B into
bolt holes in oil pump bore flange (Fig. 51).
(26) Align and install oil pump gasket (Fig. 51).(27) Install oil pump (Fig. 52). Align and position
pump on pilot studs. Slide pump down studs and
work it into front clutch hub and case by hand. Then
install 2 or 3 pump bolts to hold pump in place.
(28) Remove pilot stud tools and install remaining
oil pump bolts. Tighten bolts alternately in diagonal
pattern to 20 N´m (15 ft. lbs.).
(29) Measure input shaft end play (Fig. 53).
NOTE: If end play is incorrect, transmission is
incorrectly assembled, or the intermediate shaft
thrust washer is incorrect. The intermediate shaft
thrust washer is selective.
(a) Attach Adapter 8266-6 to Handle 8266-8.
(b) Attach dial indicator C-3339 to Handle
8266-8.
(c) Install the assembled tool onto the input
shaft of the transmission and tighten the retaining
screw on Adapter 8266-6 to secure it to the input
shaft.
(d) Position the dial indicator plunger against a
flat spot on the oil pump and zero the dial indica-
tor.
(e) Move input shaft in and out and record read-
ing. End play should be 0.56-2.31 mm (0.022-0.091
in.). Adjust as necessary.
(30) Install accumulator piston and inner and
outer springs (Fig. 54).
(31) Verify that valve body solenoid harness is
secured in 3-4 accumulator housing cover plate.
(32) Install valve body as follows:
Fig. 50 Reaction Shaft Support Seal Rings And
Front Clutch Thrust Washer
1 - REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT HUB
2 - FRONT CLUTCH THRUST WASHER
3 - SEAL RINGS
Fig. 51 Installing Pilot Studs And Oil Pump Gasket
1 - OIL PUMP GASKET
2 - PILOT STUD TOOLS C-3288-B
Fig. 52 Installing Oil Pump
1 - OIL PUMP
2 - PILOT STUD TOOL
3 - PILOT STUD TOOL
21 - 342 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44REBR/BE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE (Continued)