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42/44RE and 46/47RE

OD Selective Washer Setup
One important (yet commonly overlooked) rebuild procedure is selecting the washer
between the overdrive piston and direct clutch hub. This washer isn’t for setting
endplay; rather, it’s used to coordinate the release of the direct clutch with the apply of
the overdrive brake.
If the washer is too thin, it can cause a bindup during the 3-4 shift. If the washer is too
thick, it can prevent the direct clutch from applying all the way. This will cause a slip in
reverse, or no reverse at all.
There are two ways you can use to select the proper washer: The factory way, and Cliff’s
way.
Let’s first look at the factory method:

Factory Method
1. Place the overdrive section in a fixture so it’s vertical.
2. Place a straight edge across the housing and mea-
sure from the top of the straight edge.
C A U T IO N Make sure you don’t have the bearing or
selective washer on the direct clutch hub.
Your dial indicator needs to contact the hub
directly.

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42/44RE and 46/47RE

OD Selective Washer Setup (continued)
3. Take a measurement in four places, about 90° apart.
4. Average the four measurements. For example: Let’s say your four measurements
were 1.812", 1.818", 1.815", and 1.817". Here’s the formula:
1.812 + 1.818 + 1.815 + 1.817 = 7.262
7.262 ÷ 4 = 1.8155"
We’ll round this to 1.816"
5. Subtract the thickness of the straightedge. If you had a straightedge that’s 0.500”
thick, then 1.816 – 0.500 = 1.316
6. Find a washer from the chart that comes closest to your measurement.

Measurement Spacer P/N Spacer Thickness

1.250" – 1.264" 4431730 0.108" – 0.110"
1.265" – 1.279" 4431585 0.123" – 0.125"
1.280" – 1.294" 4431731 0.138" – 0.140"
1.295" – 1.309" 4431586 0.153" – 0.155"
1.310" – 1.324" 4431732 0.168" – 0.170"
1.325" – 1.339" 4431587 0.183" – 0.185"
1.340" – 1.354" 4431733 0.198" – 0.200"
1.355" – 1.369" 4431588 0.213" – 0.215"
1.370" – 1.384" 4431734 0.228" – 0.230"
1.385" – 1.399" 4431590 0.243" – 0.245"

This is a very reliable and accurate method, but some consider it a bit time consuming.
Now let’s look at “Cliff’s method”:

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 CHRYSLER CORPORATION %

42/44RE and 46/47RE

OD Selective Washer Setup (continued)
Cliff ’s Method
Place the overdrive section in a fixture, just like you did in the factory method. Before
you begin your measuring process you need to make a couple of changes. First remove
the wire snap ring.

Now add an extra overdrive steel plate.

© 2000 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 % CHRYSLER CORPORATION

42/44RE and 46/47RE

OD Selective Washer Setup (continued)
Select your washer:
1. Get the OD piston, bearing, and any selective washer you choose and stack them as
they would fit in the overdrive section.

Make sure you install the bearing

and washer before you place the
piston on top of the OD section.

2. While pressing down on the piston check for about 0.010" of “jiggle” in the extra steel
you placed in the OD section. Increase or decrease the thickness of the selective until
you get about 0.010" of play in the OD pack.
3. Once you have the correct selective washer, remove the extra OD steel place and
reinstall the wire snap ring.

© 2000 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.