46RE Reaction Shell, used and ready to install. Fits the 46RE. Ships fast from the USA.
The part sold as a 46RE reaction shell is what the Chrysler service manual calls the sun gear driving shell, and most people searching for it have the transmission apart on the bench with a cracked shell or chewed-up drive slots in their hand. This is a used, excellent-condition OEM shell from a Dodge 46RE, supplied with the three-tab thrust washer that seats inside it. It fits the A518 family in Ram 1500/2500, Dakota, Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee trucks with the 5.2L and 5.9L V8, and it ships from the USA.
The 46RE uses a Simpson-style gear train: a front and a rear planetary set that share one sun gear. The driving shell is the stamped steel bell that carries that sun gear and connects it to the front clutch. When the unit is assembled, the front clutch drive lugs drop into slots around the rim of the shell, and the sun gear is held in the shell by a thrust plate and retaining ring. Power from the front clutch reaches the sun gear through the shell, and when the front (kickdown) band clamps the front clutch retainer, the shell and sun gear are held still. Because so much torque passes through those slots, a 46RE with a tired front clutch or a band slipping in and out puts real stress on the shell.
A shell problem is almost always found on teardown, not from the driver's seat, because a slipping front clutch or band gives the same complaint. Do the road test and pressure checks first, and read our 46RE common problems and fixes and 3-4 clutch failure guide to separate a clutch problem from a hard-part failure. Once the unit is apart, the factory rule is simple: replace the driving shell if it is distorted, cracked or damaged in any way, replace the thrust plates and tabbed washers if they are cracked, scored or worn, and replace the sun gear as an assembly if its teeth are chipped or its bushings are scored, since the bushings are not serviced separately.
The listing is for a Dodge 46RE sun shell, and it comes with the three-prong washer. The A518 gear train was shared across many years, but parts did change, so compare this shell's drive slots and sun gear spline to yours, or send your year and VIN and we will check before it ships. This is a used, inspected OEM part, sold as pictured. See every hard part we stock on the 46RE parts page.
| Fits | 46RE |
| Part type | Reaction Shell |
| 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. On the 46RE these names all describe the sun gear driving shell, the bell that carries the sun gear and is driven by the front clutch lugs.
It is sold as pictured with the three-tab thrust washer included. If your sun gear teeth and bushings are good, transfer it into this shell; the service manual replaces the sun gear as an assembly if either is worn.
Heat and shock load through the front clutch and front band. A slipping band or a front clutch that is burnt hammers the drive slots, so check both when you replace the shell.
New snap rings and the sun gear lock ring, the tabbed thrust washers if scored, and an overhaul gasket and seal kit. Many rebuilders also replace frictions with a master kit while the unit is apart.
Adjust the front band during reassembly and fill with ATF+4. Check the level hot in Neutral after the first drive.
