Dodge Durango (DN). Manual — part 131

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.

Inspect

the

valves

and

plugs

(Fig.

115)

for

scratches, burrs, nicks, or scores. Minor surface
scratches on steel valves and plugs can be removed
with crocus cloth but do 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.

Trial fit each valve and plug in its bore to check

freedom of operation. When clean and dry, the valves
and plugs should drop freely into the bores.

Valve body bores do not change dimensionally with

use. If the valve body functioned correctly when new,
it will continue to operate properly after cleaning and
inspection. It should not be necessary to replace a
valve body assembly unless it is damaged in han-
dling.

Inspect all the accumulator 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 accumulator springs. The springs
must be free of distortion, warpage or broken coils.

Inspect all the fluid seals on the valve body (Fig.

116). Replace any seals that are cracked, distorted, or
damaged in any way. These seals pass fluid pressure
directly to the clutches. Any pressure leak at these
points, may cause transmission performance prob-
lems.

Fig. 113 Overrunning Clutch

Fig. 114 Compress Low/Reverse Belleville Spring

Using Tool 8285

Fig. 115 Valve Body Components

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DN

CLEANING AND INSPECTION (Continued)

TRANSMISSION

GENERAL INFORMATION

Heli-Coil inserts can be used to repair damaged,

stripped or worn threads in aluminum parts. These
inserts are available from most automotive parts
suppliers. Stainless steel inserts are recommended.

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.

Lubricate transmission parts with Mopar

t ATF

Plus 3, Type 7176, transmission fluid during over-
haul and assembly. Use petroleum jelly, Mopar

t Door

Ease, or Ru-Glyde to prelubricate seals, O-rings, and
thrust washers. Petroleum jelly can also be used to
hold parts in place during reassembly.

TRANSMISSION CASE CLEANING AND
INSPECTION

Clean the case in a solvent tank. Flush the case

bores and fluid passages thoroughly with solvent.
Dry the case and all fluid passages with compressed
air. Be sure all solvent is removed from the case and
that all fluid passages are clear.

NOTE: Do not use shop towels or rags to dry the
case (or any other transmission component) unless
they are made from lint-free materials. Lint will stick
to case surfaces and transmission components and
circulate throughout the transmission after assem-
bly. A sufficient quantity of lint can block fluid pas-
sages and interfere with valve body operation.

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.

LOW/REVERSE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

Clean the overrunning clutch assembly, clutch cam,

and low-reverse clutch retainer. Dry them with com-
pressed air after cleaning.

Inspect condition of each clutch part after cleaning.

Replace the overrunning clutch roller and spring
assembly if any rollers or springs are worn or dam-
aged, or if the roller cage is distorted, or damaged.
Replace the cam if worn, cracked or damaged.

Replace the low-reverse clutch retainer if the

clutch race, roller surface or inside diameter is
scored, worn or damaged.

ACCUMULATOR

Inspect the accumulator piston and seal rings.

Replace the seal rings if worn or cut. Replace the pis-
ton if chipped or cracked.

Check condition of the accumulator inner and

outer springs. Replace the springs if the coils are
cracked, distorted or collapsed.

OIL PUMP AND REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT

Clean pump and support components with solvent

and dry them with compressed air.

Check condition of the seal rings and thrust

washer on the reaction shaft support. The seal rings
do not need to be replaced unless cracked, broken, or
severely worn.

Inspect the pump and support components. Replace

the pump or support if the seal ring grooves or
machined surfaces are worn, scored, pitted, or dam-
aged. Replace the pump gears if pitted, worn
chipped, or damaged.

Inspect the pump bushing. Then check the reaction

shaft support bushing. Replace either bushing only if
heavily worn, scored or damaged. It is not necessary
to replace the bushings unless they are actually dam-
aged.

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
but do not round off the edges of the valve or

Fig. 116 Valve Body Seals

DN

45RFE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

21 - 391

CLEANING AND INSPECTION (Continued)

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 oil

pump cover. Use a penlight to view the bore interi-
ors. Replace the oil pump if any bores are distorted
or scored. Inspect all of the valve springs. The
springs must be free of distortion, warpage or broken
coils.

Trial fit each valve and plug in its bore to check

freedom of operation. When clean and dry, the valves
and plugs should drop freely into the bores.

PLANETARY GEARTRAIN

Clean the planetary components in solvent and dry

them with compressed air.

Check

sun

gear

and

driving

shell

condition.

Replace the gear if damaged or if the bushings are
scored or worn. The bushings are not serviceable.
Replace the driving shell if worn, cracked or dam-
aged.

Replace planetary gear sets if gears, pinion pins, or

carrier are damaged in any way. Replace the annulus
gears and supports if either component is worn or
damaged.

Replace the output shaft if the machined surfaces

are scored, pitted, or damaged in any way. Also
replace the shaft if the splines are damaged, or
exhibits cracks at any location.

ADJUSTMENTS

GEARSHIFT CABLE

Check adjustment by starting the engine in Park

and Neutral. Adjustment is OK if the engine starts
only in these positions. Adjustment is incorrect if the
engine starts in one but not both positions. If the
engine starts in any position other than Park or Neu-
tral, or if the engine will not start at all, the park/
neutral position switch may be faulty.

Gearshift Adjustment Procedure

(1) Shift transmission into Park.
(2) Release cable adjuster lock (underneath the

power brake booster) (Fig. 117) to unlock cable.

(3) Raise vehicle.
(4) Slide cable eyelet off transmission shift lever.
(5) Verify transmission shift lever is in Park

detent by moving lever fully rearward. Last rearward
detent is Park position.

(6) Verify positive engagement of transmission

park lock by attempting to rotate propeller shaft.
Shaft will not rotate when park lock is engaged.

(7) Slide cable eyelet onto transmission shift lever.
(8) Lower

vehicle

and

check

engine

starting.

Engine should start only in Park and Neutral.

(9) Lock shift cable by pressing cable adjuster

clamp down until it snaps into place.

SCHEMATICS AND DIAGRAMS

HYDRAULIC SCHEMATICS

Fig. 117 Gearshift Cable Routing

1 – CABLE MOUNTING
2 – CABLE BRACKET AT TRANS.
3 – GEARSHIFT CABLE

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45RFE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DN

CLEANING AND INSPECTION (Continued)

45RFE

HYDRAULIC

SCHEMA

TIC

DN

45RFE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

21 - 393

SCHEMATICS AND DIAGRAMS (Continued)