
STATOR
Torque multiplication is achieved by locking the
stator's over-running clutch to its shaft (Fig. 239).
Under stall conditions (the turbine is stationary), the
oil leaving the turbine blades strikes the face of the
stator blades and tries to rotate them in a counter-
clockwise direction. When this happens the overrun-
ning clutch of the stator locks and holds the stator
from rotating. With the stator locked, the oil strikes
the stator blades and is redirected into a ªhelpingº
direction before it enters the impeller. This circula-
tion of oil from impeller to turbine, turbine to stator,
and stator to impeller, can produce a maximum
torque multiplication of about 2.4:1. As the turbine
begins to match the speed of the impeller, the fluid
that was hitting the stator in such as way as to
cause it to lock-up is no longer doing so. In this con-
dition of operation, the stator begins to free wheel
and the converter acts as a fluid coupling.
Fig. 238 Torque Converter Fluid Operation
1 - APPLY PRESSURE 3 - RELEASE PRESSURE
2 - THE PISTON MOVES SLIGHTLY FORWARD 4 - THE PISTON MOVES SLIGHTLY REARWARD
Fig. 239 Stator Operation
1 - DIRECTION STATOR WILL FREE WHEEL DUE TO OIL
PUSHING ON BACKSIDE OF VANES
2 - FRONT OF ENGINE
3 - INCREASED ANGLE AS OIL STRIKES VANES
4 - DIRECTION STATOR IS LOCKED UP DUE TO OIL PUSHING
AGAINST STATOR VANES
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 431
TORQUE CONVERTER (Continued)

CLEANING
Clean the valve housings, valves, plugs, springs,
and separator plates with a standard parts cleaning
solution only. Do not use gasoline, kerosene, or any
type of caustic solution.
Do not immerse any of the electrical components in
cleaning solution. Clean the governor solenoid and
sensor and the dual solenoid and harness assembly
by wiping them off with dry shop towels only.
Dry all except the electrical parts with compressed
air. Make sure all passages are clean and free from
obstructions.Do not use rags or shop towels to
dry or wipe off valve body components. Lint
from these materials can stick to valve body
parts, interfere with valve operation, and clog
filters and fluid passages.
Wipe the governor pressure sensor and solenoid
valve with dry, lint free shop towels only. The O-rings
on the sensor and solenoid valve are the only service-
able components. Be sure the vent ports in the sole-
noid valve are open and not blocked by dirt or debris.
Replace the valve and/or sensor only when DRB scan
tool diagnosis indicates this is necessary. Or, if either
part has sustained physical damage (dented,
deformed, broken, etc.).
CAUTION: Do not turn the small screw at the end of
the solenoid valve for any reason. Turning the
screw in either direction will ruin solenoid calibra-
tion and result in solenoid failure. In addition, the
filter on the solenoid valve is NOT serviceable. Do
not try to remove the filter as this will damage the
valve housing.
INSPECTION
Inspect the throttle and manual valve levers and
shafts. Do not attempt to straighten a bent shaft or
correct a loose lever. Replace these components if
worn, bent, loose or damaged in any way.
Inspect all of the valve body mating surfaces for
scratches, nicks, burrs, or distortion. Use a straight-
edge to check surface flatness. Minor scratches may
be removed with crocus cloth using only very light
pressure.
Minor distortion of a valve body mating surface
may be corrected by smoothing the surface with a
sheet of crocus cloth. Position the crocus cloth on a
surface plate, sheet of plate glass or equally flat sur-
face. If distortion is severe or any surfaces are
heavily scored, the valve body will have to be
replaced.
CAUTION: Many of the valves and plugs, such as
the throttle valve, shuttle valve plug, 1-2 shift valve
and 1-2 governor plug, are made of coated alumi-
num. Aluminum components are identified by the
dark color of the special coating applied to the sur-
face (or by testing with a magnet). Do not sand alu-
minum valves or plugs under any circumstances.
This practice could damage the special coating
causing the valves/plugs to stick and bind.
Inspect the valves and plugs for scratches, burrs,
nicks, or scores. Minor surface scratches on steel
valves and plugs can be removed with crocus cloth
butdo not round off the edges of the valve or
plug lands.Maintaining sharpness of these edges is
vitally important. The edges prevent foreign matter
from lodging between the valves and plugs and the
bore.
Inspect all the valve and plug bores in the valve
body. Use a penlight to view the bore interiors.
Replace the valve body if any bores are distorted or
scored. Inspect all of the valve body springs. The
springs must be free of distortion, warpage or broken
coils.
Fig. 297 Accumulator Housing Components
1 - ACCUMULATOR PISTON
2 - 3-4 ACCUMULATOR HOUSING
3 - TEFLON SEALS
4 - PISTON SPRING
5 - COVER PLATE AND SCREWS
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 465
VALVE BODY (Continued)

VALVE BODY FINAL
(1) Install boost valve, valve spring, retainer and
cover plate. Tighten cover plate screws to 4 N´m (35
in. lbs.) torque.
(2) Insert manual lever detent spring in upper
housing.(3) Position detent ball on end of spring. Then hold
detent ball and spring in detent housing with
Retainer Tool 6583 (Fig. 313).
(4) Install throttle lever in upper housing. Then
install manual lever over throttle lever and start
manual lever into housing.
(5) Align manual lever with detent ball and man-
ual valve. Hold throttle lever upward. Then press
down on manual lever until fully seated. Remove
detent ball retainer tool after lever is seated.
(6) Then install manual lever seal, washer and
E-clip.
(7) Verify that throttle lever is aligned with end of
kickdown valve stem and that manual lever arm is
engaged in manual valve (Fig. 314).
(8) Position line pressure adjusting screw in
adjusting screw bracket.
(9) Install spring on end of line pressure regulator
valve.
(10) Install switch valve spring on tang at end of
adjusting screw bracket.
(11) Install manual valve.
(12) Install throttle valve and spring.
(13) Install kickdown valve and detent.
(14) Install pressure regulator valve.
(15) Install switch valve.
(16) Position adjusting screw bracket on valve
body. Align valve springs and press bracket into
place. Install short, upper bracket screws first and
long bottom screw last. Verify that valve springs and
bracket are properly aligned. Then tighten all three
bracket screws to 4 N´m (35 in. lbs.) torque.
(17) Perform Line Pressure and Throttle Pressure
adjustments. (Refer to 21 - TRANSMISSION/TRAN-
SAXLE/AUTOMATIC/VALVE BODY - ADJUST-
MENTS)
(18) Lubricate solenoid case connector O-rings and
shaft of manual lever with light coat of petroleum
jelly.
(19) Attach solenoid case connector to 3-4 accumu-
lator with shoulder-type screw. Connector has small
locating tang that fits in dimple at top of accumula-
tor housing (Fig. 315). Seat tang in dimple before
tightening connector screw.
(20) Install solenoid assembly and gasket. Tighten
solenoid attaching screws to 8 N´m (72 in. lbs.)
torque.
(21) Verify that solenoid wire harness is properly
routed (Fig. 316). Solenoid harness must be clear of
manual lever and park rod and not be pinched
between accumulator housing and cover.
Fig. 311 Converter Clutch And 3-4 Shift Valve
Springs
1 - RIGHT-SIDE SCREW
2 - 3-4 ACCUMULATOR
3 - 3-4 SHIFT VALVE SPRING
4 - CONVERTER CLUTCH VALVE SPRING
Fig. 312 Seating 3-4 Accumulator On Lower
Housing
1 - ACCUMULATOR BOX
2 - CONVERTER CLUTCH VALVE PLUG
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 44RE 21 - 473
VALVE BODY (Continued)

(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.
(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 exterior of transmission with suitable
solvent or pressure washer.
(2) Place transmission in vertical position.
(3) Measure the input shaft end play as follows
(Fig. 16).
(a) Attach Adapter 8266-5 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 8266-5 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 input shaft in and out and record read-
ing. Record the maximum travel for assembly refer-
ence
Fig. 14 Fill Tube Attachment
1 - TRANSFER CASE VENT TUBE
2 - FILL TUBE (V8)
3 - TUBE SEAL
4 - FILL TUBE (V6)
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 8266-5
3 - TOOL C-3339
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 503
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE (Continued)

(14) Remove oil pump gasket (Fig. 25). Note gas-
ket position in case for assembly reference.
(15) Loosen front band adjusting screw until band
is completely loose.
(16) Remove front band strut and anchor (Fig. 26).
(17) Squeeze front band together slightly and slide
band over front clutch retainer and out of case (Fig.
27).
(18) Remove front and rear clutch assemblies as a
unit (Fig. 28).
Fig. 28 Removing Front/Rear Clutch Assemblies
1 - FRONT AND REAR CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES
Fig. 25 Oil Pump Gasket
1 - OIL PUMP GASKET
Fig. 26 Front Band Linkage
1 - LEVER
2 - STRUT
3 - ANCHOR
4 - FRONT BAND
Fig. 27 Front Band Removal
1 - FRONT BAND
2 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
21 - 506 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46REBR/BE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE (Continued)

Lubricate transmission parts with MopartATF +4,
type 9602, transmission fluid during overhaul and
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 roundingoff 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 reassembly operations are equally
clean.
Shop towels used for wiping off tools and your
hands must be made fromlint freematerials. Lint
will stick to transmission parts and could interfere
with valve operation or even restrict fluid passages.
Lubricate transmission clutch and gear compo-
nents with MopartATF +4, type 9602, during reas-
sembly. Soak clutch discs in transmission fluid before
installation.
Use MopartDoor Ease, or Ru-GlydeŸ on piston
seals and O-rings to ease installation. Petroleum jelly
can also be used to lubricate and hold thrust washers
and plates in position during assembly.
Do not use chassis grease, bearing grease,
white grease, or similar lubricants on any part.
These types of lubricants can eventually block or
restrict fluid passages and valve operation. Use
petroleum jelly only.
Do not force parts into place. The transmission
components and sub-assemblies are easily installed
by hand when properly aligned. If a part seems dif-
ficult to install, it is either misaligned or incorrectly
assembled. Verify that thrust washers, thrust plates
and seal rings are correctly positioned.
The planetary geartrain, front/rear clutch assem-
blies and oil pump are all much easier to install
when the transmission case is upright. Either tilt the
case upward with wood blocks, or cut a hole in the
bench large enough for the intermediate shaft and
rear support. Then lower the shaft and support into
the hole and support the rear of the case directly on
the bench.
FRONT/REAR SERVO
(1) Lubricate rear servo piston seal with Mopart
Door Ease or ATF +4. Lubricate servo bore in case
with ATF +4.
(2) Install rear servo piston in case. Position piston
at slight angle to bore and insert piston with twisting
motion (Fig. 41).
Fig. 40 Rear Servo Retaining Snap-Ring
1 - TOOL C-4470
2 - C-CLAMP
3 - REAR SERVO SPRING RETAINER
4 - RETAINER SNAP-RING
21 - 510 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46REBR/BE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE (Continued)

(3) Install rear servo spring and retainer in case
bore (Fig. 42). Be sure spring is seated on piston.
(4) Compress rear servo piston with C-clamp or
Valve Spring Compressor C-3422-B and install servo
piston snap-ring (Fig. 43).
(5) Lubricate front servo piston components and
servo bore in case with transmission fluid.
(6) Install front servo piston in bore. Carefully
ªrunº small, suitable tool around piston ring to press
it back into groove and ease installation (Fig. 44).
Rotate piston into bore at same time. Rock piston
slightly to ease piston ring past snap-ring groove and
into bore.
Fig. 41 Rear Servo Piston
1 - REAR SERVO PISTON
Fig. 42 Rear Servo Piston Spring And Retainer
1 - PISTON SPRING
2 - REAR SERVO PISTON
3 - SPRING RETAINER
Fig. 43 Rear Servo Snap-Ring
1 - TOOL C-4470
2 - C-CLAMP
3 - REAR SERVO SPRING RETAINER
4 - RETAINER SNAP-RING
Fig. 44 Front Servo Piston
1 - USE SUITABLE TOOL TO HELP SEAT PISTON RING
2 - FRONT SERVO PISTON
BR/BEAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 511
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE (Continued)

CAUTION: If the condition of the transmission
before the overhaul procedure caused excessive
metallic or fiber contamination in the fluid, replace
the torque converter and reverse flush the cooler(s)
and cooler lines. Fluid contamination and transmis-
sion failure can result if not done.
(7) Install torque converter. Use C-clamp or metal
strap to hold converter in place for installation.
BAND ADJUSTMENT AND FINAL
(1) Adjust front and rear bands as follows:
(a) Loosen locknut on each band adjusting screw
4-5 turns.
(b) Tighten both adjusting screws to 8 N´m (72
in. lbs.).
(c) Back off front band adjusting screw 2-7/8
turns.
(d) Back off rear band adjusting screw 2 turns.
(e) Hold each adjusting screw in position and
tighten locknut to 34 N´m (25 ft. lbs.) torque.(2) Install magnet in oil pan. Magnet seats on
small protrusion at corner of pan.
(3) Position new oil pan gasket on case and install
oil pan. Tighten pan bolts to 17 N´m (13 ft. lbs.).
(4) Install throttle valve and shift selector levers
on valve body manual lever shaft.
(5) Apply small quantity of dielectric grease to ter-
minal pins of solenoid case connector and neutral
switch.
(6) Fill transmission with recommended fluid.
Refer to Service Procedures section of this group.
INSTALLATION
(1) Check torque converter hub and hub drive
notches for sharp edges burrs, scratches, or nicks.
Polish the hub and notches with 320/400 grit paper
and crocus cloth if necessary. The hub must be
smooth to avoid damaging pump seal at installation.
(2) Lubricate pocket in the rear oil pump seal lip
with transmission fluid.
(3) Lubricate converter pilot hub of the crankshaft
with a light coating of MopartHigh Temp Grease.
(4) Align and install converter in oil pump.
(5) Carefully insert converter in oil pump. Then
rotate converter back and forth until fully seated in
pump gears.
(6) Check converter seating with steel scale and
straightedge (Fig. 65). Surface of converter lugs
should be 1/2 in. to rear of straightedge when con-
verter is fully seated.
(7) Temporarily secure converter with C-clamp.
Fig. 63 Accumulator Piston And Springs
1 - ACCUMULATOR PISTON
2 - OUTER SPRING
3 - INNER SPRING
Fig. 64 Manual Lever Shaft Seal
1 - 15/16©© SOCKET
2 - SEAL
Fig. 65 Checking Converter Seating - Typical
1 - SCALE
2 - STRAIGHTEDGE
21 - 518 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46REBR/BE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE (Continued)