2001 DODGE RAM ECU

INSPECTION
Inspect the front clutch components. Replace the
clutch discs if warped, worn, scored, burned or
charred, the lugs are damaged, or if the facing is
flaking off. Replace the steel plates and reaction
plate if heavily scored, warped, or broken. Be sure
the driving lugs on the discs and plate are also in
good condition. The lugs must not be bent, cracked or
damaged in any way.
Replace the piston springs and spring retainer if
either are distorted, warped or broken.
Check the lug grooves in the clutch piston retainer.
The steel plates should slide freely in the slots.
Replace the piston retainer if the grooves are worn or
damaged. Also check action of the check ball in the
piston retainer. The ball must move freely and not
stick.
Replace the retainer bushing if worn, scored, or
there is any doubt about bushing condition.
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.
Check the clutch piston check ball. The ball should
be securely in place. Replace the piston if the ball is
missing, or seized in place.
ASSEMBLY
NOTE: The 46RE transmission uses three plates
and discs for the front clutch.
(1) Mount Bushing Installer SP-5511 on tool han-
dle (Fig. 97).
(2) Slide new bushing onto installer tool and start
bushing into retainer.
(3) Tap new bushing into place until installer tool
bottoms against clutch retainer.
(4) Remove installer tools and clean retainer thor-
oughly.
(5) Soak clutch discs in transmission fluid.
(6) Install new inner piston seal onto the outer
diameter of the clutch retainer inner hub.
(7) Install new outer seal onto the clutch piston.
Be sure seal lips of both seals face the interior of the
retainer.
(8) Lubricate new inner and outer piston seals
with Ru-GlydeŸ, or MopartDoor Ease.
(9) Install clutch piston in retainer. Use twisting
motion to seat piston in bottom of retainer. A thin
strip of plastic (about 0.015 - 0.020 in. thick), can be
used to guide seals into place if necessary.
Fig. 96 Front Clutch Retainer Bushing Replacement
Tools
1 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171
2 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-3629
3 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-5511
4 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171
5 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
Fig. 97 Front Clutch Retainer Bushing Replacement
Tools
1 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171
2 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-3629
3 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-5511
4 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171
5 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
21 - 550 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46REBR/BE
FRONT CLUTCH (Continued)

OIL PUMP BODY
(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.
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.
(4) Align and install reaction shaft support on
pump body.
(5) Install bolts attaching reaction shaft support to
pump. Tighten bolts to 20 N´m (175 in. lbs.) torque.
(6) Install new pump seal with Installer Tool
C-3860-A (Fig. 115). Use hammer or mallet to tap
seal into place.(7) Install new o-ring on pump body. Lubricate oil
seal and o-ring with petroleum jelly.
(8) Cover pump assembly to prevent dust entry
and set aside for assembly installation.
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. 116).
(4) Pull bearing from output shaft.
Fig. 114 Reaction Shaft Bushing
1 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-1191
2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171
3 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-3633
4 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-5301
5 - SPECIAL TOOL SP-5302
6 - BUSHING
7 - REACTION SHAFT
8 - BUSHING
Fig. 115 Oil Pump Seal
1 - SPECIAL TOOL C-3860-A
2 - PUMP BODY
3 - PUMP SEAL
Fig. 116 Output Shaft Front Bearing
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT FRONT BEARING
2 - SNAP-RING
3 - OUTPUT SHAFT
4 - GROOVE TO REAR
5 - OVERDRIVE GEARTRAIN
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 559
OIL PUMP (Continued)

(10) Remove snap-ring that secures annulus gear
on output shaft (Fig. 146). Use two screwdrivers to
unseat and work snap-ring out of groove as shown.
(11) Remove annulus gear from output shaft (Fig.
147). Use rawhide or plastic mallet to tap gear off
shaft.
GEAR CASE AND PARK LOCK
(1) Remove locating ring from gear case.
(2) Remove park pawl shaft retaining bolt and
remove shaft, pawl and spring.
(3) Remove reaction plug snap-ring and remove
reaction plug.
(4) Remove output shaft seal.
CLEANING
Clean the geartrain and case components with sol-
vent. Dry all parts except the bearings with com-
pressed air. Allow bearings to air dry.
Do not use shop towels for wiping parts dry unless
the towels are made from a lint-free material. A suf-
ficient quantity of lint (from shop towels, cloths, rags,
etc.) could plug the transmission filter and fluid pas-
sages.
Discard the old case gasket and seals. Do not
attempt to salvage these parts. They are not reus-
able. Replace any of the overdrive unit snap-rings if
distorted or damaged.
Fig. 144 Clutch Drum Outer Retaining Ring Removal
1 - OUTER RETAINING RING
Fig. 145 Marking Annulus Gear And Output Shaft
For Assembly Alignment
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - HAMMER
3 - PUNCH
Fig. 146 Annulus Gear Snap-Ring Removal
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - ANNULUS GEAR
3 - SNAP-RING
Fig. 147 Annulus Gear Removal
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - ANNULUS GEAR
21 - 568 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46REBR/BE
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)

Minor nicks or scratches on components can be
smoothed with crocus cloth. However, do not attempt
to reduce severe scoring on any components with
abrasive materials. Replace severely scored compo-
nents; do not try to salvage them.
INSPECTION
Check condition of the park lock components and
the overdrive case.
Check the bushings in the overdrive case. Replace
the bushings if severely scored or worn. Also replace
the case seal if loose, distorted, or damaged.
Examine the overdrive and direct clutch discs and
plates. Replace the discs if the facing is worn,
severely scored, or burned and flaking off. Replace
the clutch plates if worn, heavily scored, or cracked.
Check the lugs on the clutch plates for wear. The
plates should slide freely in the drum. Replace the
plates or drum if binding occurs.
Check condition of the annulus gear, direct clutch
hub, clutch drum and clutch spring. Replace the gear,
hub and drum if worn or damaged. Replace the
spring if collapsed, distorted, or cracked.
Be sure the splines and lugs on the gear, drum and
hub are in good condition. The clutch plates and
discs should slide freely in these components.
Inspect the thrust bearings and spring plate.
Replace the plate if worn or scored. Replace the bear-
ings if rough, noisy, brinnelled, or worn.
Inspect the planetary gear assembly and the sun
gear and bushings. If either the sun gear or the
bushings are damaged, replace the gear and bush-
ings as an assembly. The gear and bushings are not
serviced separately.
The planetary carrier and pinions must be in good
condition. Also be sure the pinion pins are secure and
in good condition. Replace the carrier if worn or dam-
aged.
Inspect the overrunning clutch and race. The race
surface should be smooth and free of scores. Replace
the overrunning clutch assembly or the race if either
assembly is worn or damaged in any way.
Replace the shaft pilot bushing and inner bushing
if damaged. Replace either shaft bearing if rough or
noisy. Replace the bearing snap-rings if distorted or
cracked.
Check the machined surfaces on the output shaft.
These surfaces should clean and smooth. Very minor
nicks or scratches can be smoothed with crocus cloth.
Replace the shaft if worn, scored or damaged in any
way.
Inspect the output shaft bushings. The small bush-
ing is the intermediate shaft pilot bushing. The large
bushing is the overrunning clutch hub bushing.
Replace either bushing if scored, pitted, cracked, or
worn.
ASSEMBLY
GEARTRAIN AND DIRECT CLUTCH
(1) Soak direct clutch and overdrive clutch discs in
MopartATF +4, type 9602, transmission fluid. Allow
discs to soak for 10-20 minutes.
(2) Install new pilot bushing and clutch hub bush-
ing in output shaft if necessary (Fig. 148). Lubricate
bushings with petroleum jelly, or transmission fluid.
(3) Install annulus gear on output shaft, if
removed. Then install annulus gear retaining snap-
ring (Fig. 149).
Fig. 149 Annulus Gear Installation
1 - SNAP-RING
2 - OUTPUT SHAFT FRONT BEARING
3 - ANNULUS GEAR
Fig. 148 Output Shaft Pilot Bushing
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT HUB
2 - OVERRUNNING CLUTCH HUB BUSHING
3 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT PILOT BUSHING
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 569
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)

grooves for clutch pack snap ring and clutch hub
retaining ring.
(23) Realign clutch pack on hub and seat clutch
discs and plates in clutch drum.
(24) Install direct clutch pack snap ring (Fig. 164).
Be very sure snap ring is fully seated in clutch drum
ring groove.
(25) Install clutch hub retaining ring (Fig. 165). Be
very sure retaining ring is fully seated in sun gear
ring groove.
(26) Slowly release press ram, remove compressor
tools and remove geartrain assembly.
GEAR CASE
(1) Position park pawl and spring in case and
install park pawl shaft. Verify that end of springwith 90É bend is hooked to pawl and straight end of
spring is seated against case.
(2) Install pawl shaft retaining bolt. Tighten bolt
to 27 N´m (20 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Install park lock reaction plug. Note that plug
has locating pin at rear (Fig. 166). Be sure pin is
seated in hole in case before installing snap ring.
(4) Install reaction plug snap-ring (Fig. 167). Com-
press snap ring only enough for installation; do not
distort it.
(5) Install new seal in gear case. Use Handle
C-4171 and Installer C-3995-A to seat seal in case.
(6) Verify that tab ends of rear bearing locating
ring extend into access hole in gear case (Fig. 168).
(7) Support geartrain on Tool 6227-1 (Fig. 169). Be
sure tool is securely seated in clutch hub.
(8) Install overdrive gear case on geartrain (Fig.
169).
(9) Expand front bearing locating ring with snap
ring pliers (Fig. 170). Then slide case downward until
Fig. 164 Direct Clutch Pack Snap-Ring Installation
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6227-1
2 - DIRECT CLUTCH PACK SNAP-RING
Fig. 165 Clutch Hub Retaining Ring Installation
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6227-1
2 - CLUTCH HUB RETAINING RING
Fig. 166 Reaction Plug Locating Pin And Snap-Ring
1 - REACTION PLUG SNAP-RING (DO NOT OVERCOMPRESS
TO INSTALL)
2 - LOCATING PIN
3 - PARK LOCK REACTION PLUG
Fig. 167 Reaction Plug And Snap-Ring Installation
1 - REACTION PLUG SNAP-RING
2 - SNAP-RING PLIERS
21 - 574 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46REBR/BE
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)

locating ring locks in bearing groove and release
snap ring.
(10) Install locating ring access cover and gasket
in overdrive unit case (Fig. 171).
OVERDRIVE CLUTCH
NOTE: The overdrive clutch in a 46RE transmission
uses 4 clutch discs.
(1) Install overdrive clutch reaction ring first.
Reaction ring is flat with notched ends (Fig. 172).
(2) Install wave spring on top of reaction ring (Fig.
173). Reaction ring and wave ring both fit in same
ring groove. Use screwdriver to seat each ringsecurely in groove. Also ensure that the ends of the
two rings are offset from each other.
(3) Assemble overdrive clutch pack (Fig. 174).
Fig. 168 Correct Rear Bearing Locating Ring
Position
1 - CASE ACCESS HOLE
2 - TAB ENDS OF LOCATING RING
Fig. 169 Overdrive Gear Case Installation
1 - GEARTRAIN ASSEMBLY
2 - GEAR CASE
Fig. 170 Seating Locating Ring In Rear Bearing
1 - EXPAND BEARING LOCATING RING WITH SNAP-RING
PLIERS
2 - ACCESS HOLE
Fig. 171 Locating Ring Access Cover And Gasket
Installation
1 - TORX SCREWDRIVER (T25)
2 - ACCESS COVER SCREWS
Fig. 172 Overdrive Clutch Reaction Ring Installation
1 - REACTION RING
2 - CLUTCH HUB
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 575
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)

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 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 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. 178).
(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. 179).
(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.
OVERDRIVE PISTON
(1) Install new seals on overdrive piston.
(2) Stand transmission case upright on bellhous-
ing.
(3) Position Guide Ring 8114-1 on outer edge of
overdrive piston retainer.
(4) Position Seal Guide 8114-3 on inner edge of
overdrive piston retainer.
(5) Install overdrive piston in overdrive piston
retainer by:
(a) Aligning locating lugs on overdrive piston to
the two mating holes in retainer.
(b) Lubricate overdrive piston seals with Mopart
Door Ease, or equivalent.
(c) Install piston over Seal Guide 8114±3 and
inside Guide Ring 8114±1.(d) Push overdrive piston into position in
retainer.
(e) Verify that the locating lugs entered the lug
bores in the retainer.
(6) Install intermediate shaft spacer on intermedi-
ate shaft.
(7) Install overdrive piston thrust plate on over-
drive piston.
(8) Install overdrive piston thrust bearing on over-
drive piston.
(9) Install transmission speed sensor and O-ring
seal in overdrive case.
INSTALLATION
(1) Be sure overdrive unit Alignment Tool 6227-2
is fully seated before moving unit. If tool is not
Fig. 177 Intermediate Shaft End Play Spacer
Selection
Fig. 178 Overdrive Piston Thrust Plate Measurement
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6311
2 - DIRECT CLUTCH HUB THRUST BEARING SEAT
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4962
Fig. 179 Overdrive Piston Thrust Plate Selection
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 577
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)

seated and gear splines rotate out of alignment, over-
drive unit will have to be disassembled in order to
realign splines.
(2) If overdrive piston retainer was not removed
during service and original case gasket is no longer
reusable, prepare new gasket by trimming it.
(3) Cut out old case gasket around piston retainer
with razor knife (Fig. 180).
(4) Use old gasket as template and trim new gas-
ket to fit.
(5) Position new gasket over piston retainer and
on transmission case. Use petroleum jelly to hold
gasket in place if necessary. Do not use any type of
sealer to secure gasket. Use petroleum jelly only.
(6) Install selective spacer on intermediate shaft, if
removed. Spacer goes in groove just rearward of
shaft rear splines (Fig. 181).
(7) Install thrust bearing in overdrive unit sliding
hub. Use petroleum jelly to hold bearing in position.CAUTION: Be sure the shoulder on the inside diam-
eter of the bearing is facing forward.
(8) Verify that splines in overdrive planetary gear
and overrunning clutch hub are aligned with Align-
ment Tool 6227-2. Overdrive unit cannot be installed
if splines are not aligned. If splines have rotated out
of alignment, unit will have to be disassembled to
realign splines.
(9)
Carefully slide Alignment Tool 6227-2 out of over-
drive planetary gear and overrunning clutch splines.
(10)Raise overdrive unit and carefully slide it
straight onto intermediate shaft. Insert park rod into
park lock reaction plug at same time. Avoid tilting over-
drive during installation as this could cause planetary
gear and overrunning clutch splines to rotate out of
alignment. If this occurs, it will be necessary to remove
and disassemble overdrive unit to realign splines.
(11) Work overdrive unit forward on intermediate
shaft until seated against transmission case.
(12) Install bolts attaching overdrive unit to trans-
mission unit. Tighten bolts in diagonal pattern to 34
N´m (25 ft-lbs).
(13) Connect the transmission speed sensor and
overdrive wiring connectors.
(14) Install the transfer case, if equipped.
(15) Align and install rear propeller shaft, if nec-
essary. (Refer to 3 - DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE/
PROPELLER SHAFT/PROPELLER SHAFT -
INSTALLATION)
OVERDRIVE SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The overdrive OFF (control) switch is located in
the shift lever arm (Fig. 182). The switch is a
momentary contact device that signals the PCM to
toggle current status of the overdrive function.
Fig. 180 Trimming Overdrive Case Gasket
1 - GASKET
2 - SHARP KNIFE
Fig. 181 Intermediate Shaft Selective Spacer Location
1 - SELECTIVE SPACER
2 - SPACER GROOVE
3 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
Fig. 182 Overdrive Off Switch
21 - 578 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46REBR/BE
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)