48RE Clutch Drum 1990, remanufactured and ready to install. Fits the 48RE. Ships fast from the USA.
This remanufactured 5-clutch direct drum is listed for the whole Chrysler rear-drive overdrive family from 1990 on: the A518 and A618, the hydraulic 46RH and 47RH, the electronic 46RE and 47RE, and the 48RE. That covers decades of Dodge Ram and Durango, Dakota and Jeep applications, so it is the drum to look at when a teardown turns up a scored, cracked or bell-mouthed front clutch retainer, or when a towing build needs more front clutch capacity than the original pack had. The 1990 year on this listing marks where the application range starts, not a single model year.
In Chrysler's service literature the part is the front clutch retainer, and the trouble charts also call the pack it holds the direct clutch. It applies with the rear clutch to lock the planetary set at 1:1 for third gear, it stays applied in fourth while the overdrive unit adds the step-up, and it is applied in reverse. The front (kickdown) band clamps the outside of this same drum in second, so the outer wall has to be round and smooth as well as strong. The 1998 factory manual lists 3 front clutch discs in the 46RE and 4 in the 47RE; a 5-clutch drum puts more friction area in the same space, which is why rebuilders reach for it on diesel and heavy-towing units. Transmission Digest notes Chrysler also raised clutch drum torque capacity when it introduced the 48RE in 2003.
The factory diagnostic logic works across the family: a slip in third that also shows in reverse means the front clutch, while a slip in third with a good reverse means the rear clutch. Verify line pressure before teardown so a weak pump or a leaking valve body does not get blamed on the clutch. With the valve body off, air-test the front clutch passage and listen for the soft thump of the piston applying. On a late diesel truck, our 48RE Cummins transmission problems guide walks through what fails first, and the Ram 3500 Cummins shift problems guide covers shift complaints that are not clutch related.
Listed fitment: A518, A618, 46RH, 46RE, 47RH, 47RE and 48RE, 1990 and up. Because the family spans so many years and three generations of controls, match it against your old drum before installing: lug slot count and pack depth, bushing bore, the snap ring groove and the band surface width. If you are not sure which transmission you have, send us your year and VIN. The full lineup of parts for the late version is on our 48RE collection page; if you want a factory drum from a 2005 diesel instead, see the used 2005 48RE clutch drum.
For seals and gaskets, the 48RE overhaul kit is a common pairing, and a TransGo HD2 shift kit firms up apply on a towing build.
| Fits | 48RE 1990 |
| Part type | Clutch Drum |
| Condition | Remanufactured |
| Brand | OEM |
| Reference | A518 |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
The listing covers A518, A618, 46RH, 46RE, 47RH, 47RE and 48RE from 1990 on, which includes a 1999 47RE. Compare it with your old drum or send us your year and VIN to confirm before installing.
The 48RE itself started in 2003. The 1990 date is where the listed application range begins, since the same drum design serves the earlier A518 and A618 family as well.
Five frictions and the matching steels for a 5-clutch front pack. A stock 46RE or 47RE overhaul kit carries fewer front frictions, so confirm the plate count before you order.
Use reverse. If third slips and reverse also slips, it is the front clutch. If third slips but reverse is fine, the rear clutch is the likely cause.
Chrysler specifies ATF+4 for the RE transmissions. Check the level with the fluid hot, the engine idling and the selector in Neutral.
