44RE Clutch Drum, used and ready to install. Fits the 44RE. Ships fast from the USA.
If your Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler or Dodge Dakota four-speed has no Reverse, slips in Reverse, or flares into third, and the teardown shows a cracked, worn or burned front clutch drum, this is the hard part you need. It is a used front clutch drum assembly (also called the front clutch retainer, and listed by some rebuilders as the input drum) for the Chrysler A500 family: 42RH, 42RE, 44RH and 44RE. The splines were inspected and are undamaged, and it ships from the USA.
The 42RE builds its first three gears on a TorqueFlite-style geartrain with two clutches up front. The front clutch drum rides on the reaction shaft support hub at the back of the pump and houses the front clutch piston, return spring and clutch pack. In a 42RE the factory manual calls for four discs and four steel plates in this drum, with a pack clearance of 0.067-0.134 in. When the front clutch applies, the drum's outer lugs drive the sun gear through the driving shell. That is why the front clutch is applied in third gear and in Reverse, and why the factory diagnosis chart lists a worn or burned front clutch as a leading cause of no Reverse or slipping in Reverse.
Check that the rear band is adjusted, then run a reverse stall or pressure test. With the pan and valve body off, the factory front clutch air test tells you whether the piston applies and holds; a hiss, or a piston that does not move, points to seals or a cracked drum. Our no-Reverse diagnosis guide covers the same front clutch and rear band checks used on the A500. Once the unit is apart, inspect the drum the way the manual describes: the steel plates must slide freely in the lug grooves, the check ball in the retainer must move freely, and the bushings must be smooth. The manual is clear that the retainer bushings are not serviced separately, so a scored or worn bushing means replacing the whole drum.
This drum fits the small-case A500 family: 42RH, 42RE, 44RH and 44RE in 1990s and 2000s Jeep and Dodge Dakota/Durango applications. It does not fit the larger 46RE, 47RE or 48RE. Because these units changed through the years, compare it to your old drum before installing: spline count, piston bore, number of bushings and the height of the lug slots. If you are unsure, send your year and VIN and we will confirm. You can see every part for this unit on the 42RE/44RE collection page.
A failed front clutch usually means the rest of the unit saw the same heat, so pair this drum with a 42RE master rebuild kit for new frictions, steels and seals, and check the front pump and its reaction shaft support for wear while it is out. Our rebuild wear points guide lists the other hard parts to inspect.
| Fits | 44RE |
| Part type | Clutch Drum |
| Condition | Used |
| Brand | OEM |
| Reference | A500 |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
It is the front clutch drum assembly, also called the front clutch retainer. Some rebuilders call the same part the input drum. It is the drum that rides on the pump's reaction shaft support and drives the sun gear shell.
The small-case Chrysler A500 family: 42RH, 42RE, 44RH and 44RE. It does not fit the 46RE, 47RE or 48RE. Compare splines, piston bore and bushings to your old drum, or send your year and VIN.
No Reverse or slipping in Reverse, and slipping or no third gear. The front clutch is applied in both, so a cracked drum, worn bushing or leaking piston shows up there.
The factory manual says the retainer bushings are not serviceable. If a bushing is scored or worn, replace the drum.
New frictions, steels and piston seals for the front clutch, plus sealing rings on the reaction shaft support. A master rebuild kit covers all of it.
The 42RE front clutch uses four discs and four plates with a clearance of 0.067-0.134 in., per the factory service manual.
