Petroleum jelly can also be used to hold thrust
washers, thrust plates and gaskets in position during
assembly. 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. 39). 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. 40).
(3) Compress front/rear servo springs with Valve
Spring Compressor C-3422-B and install each servo
snap-ring (Fig. 41).
(4) Lubricate clutch cam rollers with transmission
fluid.
(5) Install rear band in case (Fig. 42). Be sure twin
lugs on band are seated against reaction pin.
(6) Install low-reverse drum and check overrun-
ning clutch operation as follows:(a) Lubricate overrunning clutch race (on drum
hub) with transmission fluid.
(b) Guide drum through rear band.
(c) Tilt drum slightly and start race (on drum
hub) into overrunning clutch rollers.
(d) Press drum rearward and turn it in clock-
wise direction until drum seats in overrunning
clutch (Fig. 43).
Fig. 39 Rear Servo Components
1 - SERVO PISTON
2 - PISTON SPRING
3 - SNAP-RING
4 - RETAINER
5 - PISTON SEAL
Fig. 40 Front Servo Components
1 - PISTON SEAL RINGS
2 - SERVO PISTON
3 - SNAP-RING
4 - ROD GUIDE
5 - SPRING
6 - ROD
Fig. 41 Compressing Front/Rear Servo Springs
1 - SPRING COMPRESSOR TOOL C-3422-B
2 - ROD GUIDE SNAP-RING
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 35
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)
SPECIAL TOOLS
RE TRANSMISSIONS
Shaft, Spring Compressor and Alignment - 6227
Bar, Gauge - 6311
Pilot, Extension Housing - C-3288-B
Gauge, Oil Pressure - C-3292
Gauge, Oil Pressure - C-3293SP
Dial Indicator - C-3339
Compressor, Spring - C-3422-C
Puller, Slide Hammer - C-3752
Gauge, Throttle Setting - C-3763
Installer, Seal - C-3860-A
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 57
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)
Remover, Bushing - SP-5324
Installer, Bushing - SP-5325
Compressor, Spring - C-3575-A
Gauge - 6312
Adapter, Band Adjuster - C-3705
Flusher, Oil Cooler - 6906-B
Installer, Piston - 8114
Remover, Bushing - 6957
Installer, Bushing - 6951
Retainer, Detent Ball and Spring - 6583
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 59
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)
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.
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 waved snap-ring and remove pressure
plate, clutch plates and clutch discs (Fig. 92).
(2) Compress clutch piston spring with Compressor
Tool C-3575-A (Fig. 93). Be sure legs of tool are
seated squarely on spring retainer before compress-
ing spring.
(3) Remove retainer snap-ring and remove com-
pressor tool.
(4) Remove spring retainer and clutch spring. Note
position of retainer on spring for assembly reference.
(5) Remove clutch piston from clutch retainer.
Remove piston by rotating it up and out of retainer.
(6) Remove seals from clutch retainer piston bore
and clutch retainer hub. Discard both seals as they
are not reusable.
INSPECTION
Inspect the front clutch components. Replace the
clutch discs if warped, worn, scored, burned or
charred, or if the facing is flaking off. Replace the
steel plates if heavily scored, warped, or broken. Be
sure the driving lugs on the plates are in good con-
dition. The lugs must not be bent, cracked or dam-
aged in any way.
Replace the clutch spring and spring retainer if
either is distorted, warped or broken.Check the lug grooves in the clutch retainer. The
steel plates should slide freely in the slots. Replace
the retainer if the grooves are worn or damaged.
Check action of the check ball in the retainer (Fig.
94). The ball must move freely and not stick.
NOTE: Inspect the clutch retainer bushings care-
fully (Fig. 95). The retainer bushings are NOT ser-
viceable. It will be necessary to replace the retainer
if either bushing is scored, or worn.
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.
ASSEMBLY
NOTE: The 42RE transmission uses four plates and
discs for the front clutch.
(1) Soak clutch discs in transmission fluid while
assembling other clutch parts.
(2) Install new seals in the clutch retainer lower
groove and on outer diameter of the retainer hub. Be
sure lip of each seal faces interior of clutch retainer.
(3) Lubricate lips of the retainer seals with liberal
quantity of MopartDoor Ease. Then lubricate
retainer hub, bore and piston with light coat of trans-
mission fluid.
(4) Install clutch piston in retainer (Fig. 96). Use
twisting motion to seat piston in bottom of retainer.
CAUTION: Never push the clutch piston straight in.
This will fold the seals over causing leakage and
clutch slip.
(5) Position spring in clutch piston (Fig. 97).
(6) Position spring retainer on top of piston spring.
Make sure retainer is properly installed (Fig. 92).
(7) Compress piston spring and retainer with Com-
pressor Tool C-3575-A (Fig. 93). Then install new
snap-ring to secure spring retainer and spring.
(8) Install clutch plates and discs (Fig. 92). Install
steel plate then disc until all plates and discs are
installed. The front clutch uses 4 clutch discs and
plates in a 42RE transmission.
(9) Install pressure plate and waved snap-ring
(Fig. 92).
Clearance should be 1.70 to 3.40 mm (0.067 to
0.134 in.). If clearance is incorrect, clutch discs,
plates, pressure plates and snap-ring may have to be
changed.
21 - 74 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42REWJ
FRONT CLUTCH (Continued)
Fig. 93 Compressing Front Clutch Piston Spring
1 - FRONT CLUTCH SPRING
2 - COMPRESSOR TOOL C-3575-A
3 - RETAINER SNAP-RING
4 - SPRING RETAINER
Fig. 94 Front Clutch Piston Retainer Check Ball
Location
1 - RETAINER CHECK BALL
Fig. 95 Retainer Bushing Location/Inspection
1 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER BUSHINGS (NON-
SERVICEABLE)
Fig. 96 Front Clutch Piston Installation
1 - CLUTCH PISTON
2 - FRONT CLUTCH RETAINER
Fig. 97 Clutch Piston Spring Installation
1 - RETAINER
2 - CLUTCH SPRING
3 - PISTON
21 - 76 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42REWJ
FRONT CLUTCH (Continued)
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.
142).
(2) Position Compressor Tool 6227-1 on clutch hub
(Fig. 142). 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. 142).
(4) Remove direct clutch pack snap-ring (Fig. 143).
(5) Remove direct clutch hub retaining ring (Fig.
144).
(6) Release press load slowly and completely (Fig.
145).
(7) Remove Special Tool 6227-1. Then remove
clutch pack from hub (Fig. 145).
GEARTRAIN
(1) Remove direct clutch hub and spring (Fig. 146).
Fig. 140 Removing Gear Case From Geartrain
Assembly
1 - GEARTRAIN ASSEMBLY
2 - GEAR CASE
Fig. 141 Rear Bearing Removal
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - REAR BEARING
3 - SNAP-RING
Fig. 142 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
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 91
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)
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.
(20) Position Compressor Tool 6227-1 on clutch
hub.
(21) Compress clutch hub and spring just enough
to place tension on hub and hold it in place.
(22) 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.
(23) Realign clutch pack on hub and seat clutch
discs and plates in clutch drum.
(24) Install direct clutch pack snap-ring (Fig. 171).
Be very sure snap-ring is fully seated in clutch drum
ring groove.
(25) Install clutch hub retaining ring (Fig. 172). 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 spring
with 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. 173). Be sure pin is
seated in hole in case before installing snap-ring.
(4) Install reaction plug snap-ring (Fig. 174). Com-
press snap ring only enough for installation; do not
distort it.
Fig. 170 Direct Clutch
1 - CLUTCH HUB
2 - DIRECT CLUTCH PACK
3 - CLUTCH DRUM
Fig. 171 Direct Clutch Pack Snap-Ring Installation
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6227-1
2 - DIRECT CLUTCH PACK SNAP-RING
Fig. 172 Clutch Hub Retaining Ring Installation
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6227-1
2 - CLUTCH HUB RETAINING RING
21 - 100 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42REWJ
OVERDRIVE UNIT (Continued)
SPECIAL TOOLS
RFE TRANSMISSION
Gauge, Oil Pressure - C-3292
Gauge, Oil Pressure - C-3293SP
Dial Indicator - C-3339
Installer, Seal - C-3860-A
Flusher, Oil Cooler - 6906-C
Compressor, Spring - 8249
Compressor, Spring - 8250
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 545RFE 21 - 221
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 545RFE (Continued)