45RFE Clutch Drum, used and ready to install. Fits the 45RFE. Ships fast from the USA.
This is a used Mopar input clutch drum, more precisely the input clutch retainer, for the Chrysler 45RFE family. The part is listed under OE number 4799648AE and for the 45RFE, 66RFE and 68RFE, and the listing describes it as a complete drum carrying three clutches. It is the part to look for when a Ram 1500, Dakota, Durango, Grand Cherokee, Commander or Liberty rebuild turns up a cracked drum, worn clutch lugs or a damaged sealing surface, and the shop needs a straight factory replacement rather than a billet piece.
The RFE transmissions have no bands. Each gear comes from two clutches applied together, and three of the six clutches live in this one assembly: underdrive (UD), overdrive (OD) and reverse. Chrysler's clutch application chart has the underdrive clutch on in first, second and third, the overdrive clutch on in third and fourth (and fifth on the 545RFE), and the reverse clutch on with low/reverse for reverse. Limp-in also runs on the UD and OD clutches together. That means a leak or a worn lug anywhere in this drum can show up as a problem in almost every forward gear, not just one.
The overdrive side is the weak spot. Sonnax notes that the clutch area of the aluminum inner retainer wears over time, and the accumulated damage makes the overdrive clutches drag on apply and release. Sonnax lists OE 4799648AD as the cross reference for its heavy duty inner retainer kit, which puts this 4799648-series drum in the 2007-and-later family.
Ratio codes on an RFE are not proof of a bad drum. Chrysler's P0733 and P0734 cause lists include the solenoid switch valve, the overdrive dribbler orifice in the reaction shaft support, the 4C tower seal and low fluid. Check fluid level and condition and scan for electrical codes first. Once the unit is apart, look at the drum itself: cracks, lug notching where the steels ride, scored seal bores and a worn bushing are what condemn it. Our 45RFE 3-4 clutch failure guide walks the overdrive diagnosis step by step, and the 45RFE and 545RFE problems guide covers the other common faults that mimic it.
The part is listed for the 45RFE, 66RFE and 68RFE under OE 4799648AE. Sonnax identifies two input clutch retainer designs: 1999-2007 45RFE and 545RFE units measure 2.765 in. at dimension A with a small chamfer, while 2007-and-later 45RFE, 545RFE, 65RFE, 66RFE and 68RFE units measure 2.825 in. with a large chamfer. Measure your old drum and match it, and keep the matching underdrive and overdrive pressure plates, since TransGo lists different plates for 1999-06 and 2007-up units. If you are unsure, send us your year, model and VIN before ordering. Every part we carry for this family is on the 45RFE and 545RFE collection page.
The 45RFE, 545RFE and 65RFE master rebuild kit supplies the frictions, steels and seals to rebuild this drum, and if the valve body side contributed to the failure, the solenoid pack and filter kit is worth replacing at the same time.
| Fits | 45RFE |
| Part type | Clutch Drum |
| Condition | Used |
| Brand | OEM |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
Yes. The part is the input clutch retainer, the drum that holds the underdrive, overdrive and reverse clutches. Shops call it the input drum, the clutch drum or the input clutch housing.
The 4799648-series number matches the 2007-and-later retainer design, which measures 2.825 in. at dimension A with a large chamfer. Early units use a 2.765 in. retainer with a small chamfer and matching pressure plates, so measure your old drum and send us your VIN if it does not match.
New frictions, steels and seals for the UD, OD and reverse packs, a new filter, and inspection of the solenoid switch valve and overdrive dribbler, both known causes of repeat overdrive failure.
Slip on the 2-3 or 3-4 shift, third or fourth gear ratio codes, overdrive clutches that keep burning, reverse slip, and aluminum debris in the pan.
ATF+4 only. After the rebuild, run the Quick Learn with a scan tool so the computer relearns clutch fill volumes for the new clearances.
