44RE Master Rebuild Kit 1998-04, new and ready to install. Fits the 44RE. Ships fast from the USA.
If your 1998-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0L, Cherokee, Wrangler or Dodge Dakota V6 has burnt fluid, flares between gears or has started slipping out of overdrive, the four-speed underneath it is the Chrysler A500 family, sold as the 40RH, 42RH, 42RE and 44RE. This master rebuild kit covers that later run of the small-case A500. It combines three kits in one box: a complete overhaul (soft parts) kit with the seals, gaskets and sealing rings, a friction kit with 29 friction plates, and a steel kit with 18 steel plates. It is new and ships from the USA.
The 42RE makes first through third gear with two multi-plate clutches (front and rear), two bands, a low-reverse overrunning clutch and a pair of planetary sets. Fourth comes from a separate overdrive unit bolted to the back of the case, with its own planetary set, overrunning clutch, a direct clutch that is applied in every range except fourth, and an overdrive clutch applied only in fourth. Per the factory service manual, a stock 42RE stacks 4 discs in the front clutch, 4 in the rear, 3 in the overdrive clutch and 6 in the direct clutch. When any of those packs glazes, or when the piston seals and sealing rings that feed them leak, the unit slips. A master kit replaces every one of those wear items in one teardown so you are not chasing one pack at a time.
Rule out the cheap causes first. Low or wrong fluid, a misadjusted kickdown band or throttle valve cable and governor pressure faults can all imitate worn clutches. Our RE-series slipping guide walks through those checks, and the same hydraulic layout applies to the smaller 42RE and 44RE. If the pan shows heavy clutch material and a line pressure test is normal, the clutches are worn and this kit is the right fix. If the problem is only a governor code, a governor pressure solenoid may be all you need.
The listing covers the A500 family (40RH, 42RH, 42RE, 44RE) for 1998-2004 and is cataloged for the Dodge Dakota with the small-case A500. Many vehicles in these years came with either a small-case A500 or a large-case 46RE behind the bigger V8s, and the 4.7L V8 used a different transmission altogether, so confirm the unit before ordering. The tag on the driver side of the case, the pan shape and the bell housing will settle it. Match your current parts against the photos, or send us your year and VIN and we will confirm. You can see everything we carry for this unit on the 42RE/44RE parts page.
With the valve body out, this is the time to refresh the electrical side. A 1996-1999 44RE solenoid kit fits the early oval-sensor units, and for 2000-up units a 2000-on solenoid kit matches the later rectangular sensor. Our RE rebuild wear points guide lists the hard parts worth checking before you close the case.
| Fits | 44RE 1998-04 |
| Part type | Master Rebuild Kit |
| Condition | New |
| 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 fits the small-case A500 (42RE/44RE) used behind the 4.0L six. The 4.7L V8 Grand Cherokee used a different transmission and is not covered. Check the tag on the case or send us your VIN to confirm.
The kit covers the whole 40RH-44RE family, so it packs 29 frictions and 18 steels. The factory 42RE uses 4 front, 4 rear, 3 overdrive and 6 direct clutch discs. Match each pack to your old plates and keep the spares.
This listing is an overhaul kit plus friction and steel kits. A filter, bands and bushings are not listed in the contents, so plan to buy them separately and inspect your bands for wear.
Use ATF+4. Older service manuals show ATF+3, but ATF+4 superseded it and is the correct fluid for these transmissions.
Not always, but the valve body is already out during a rebuild. If you have had governor codes, shift-point problems or no lockup, replace the governor solenoid, sensor and overdrive/TCC solenoids at the same time.
