48RE Clutch Drum, remanufactured and ready to install. Fits the 48RE. Ships fast from the USA.
Lost third gear, a flare into overdrive and a soft or missing reverse are the classic signs of a worn front clutch in a Chrysler RE transmission. This remanufactured 48RE clutch drum is shown as a five-clutch drum package: the drum with its piston and spring components, a pressure plate, and four selective snap rings measuring 0.062, 0.074, 0.088 and 0.106 in. for setting pack clearance. The listing also carries an A727 reference, the three-speed TorqueFlite whose geartrain the RE family is built on.
ATSG lists the front (direct) clutch as one of three driving clutches in the 46RE, 47RE and 48RE, alongside the rear (forward) clutch and the OD/direct clutch. The front drum sits right behind the pump and rides on the pump reaction shaft support, which is why the drum in the photo has an open center rather than an input shaft. Pump oil goes through the support, past sealing rings and into the drum to push the piston and clamp the pack. The front clutch works in third, which the overdrive unit carries into fourth, and in reverse. More clutch plates in the same drum means more clamping area, which helps a unit hold the torque of a diesel or a heavy trailer.
Run a pressure test in third and reverse before teardown. Normal line pressure with a slip in both of those ranges points squarely at the front clutch, while low pressure everywhere sends you back to the pump or valve body. On the bench, check the drum lugs, the bushing, the sealing ring bore and the check ball, then air-check the piston. Read our 48RE Ram 3500 Cummins common problems guide for the full symptom picture, and the 48RE 3-4 clutch failure article if your slip happens on the shift into fourth instead.
This drum is listed for the 48RE without a specific year. ATSG lists the 48RE in 2003-2007 Ram pickups with the 5.9L diesel and the 8.0L V10, and RE front drums are shared widely across the family, but clutch count and drum depth vary. Measure your original drum and count its plates before ordering, or send us your year and VIN and we will confirm the match. Year-specific drums such as the 2003-2007 48RE clutch drum are on the 48RE collection page.
Soak the frictions in ATF+4, lube the piston seals and assemble the pack, then measure clearance and choose the snap ring from the four included sizes that brings it into spec. Too loose causes a flare; too tight causes drag and heat. Replace the sealing rings on the pump support while it is accessible. A front clutch that burned out often had help from a pressure problem, so check the 48RE pressure control solenoid and, on 2005 and later diesel trucks, the 48RE throttle valve actuator. Fill with ATF+4 and finish the level check hot in Neutral.
| Fits | 48RE |
| Part type | Clutch Drum |
| Condition | Remanufactured |
| Brand | OEM |
| Reference | A727 |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
The photo shows a front (direct) clutch style drum with an open center that rides on the pump support. Compare it with your old drum before installing.
The listing photo shows the drum with its piston and spring components, a pressure plate, and four selective snap rings of 0.062, 0.074, 0.088 and 0.106 in. Contact us to confirm what ships if you need a specific piece.
The RE transmissions grew out of the three-speed A727 TorqueFlite, and the main case geartrain and clutch layout carry over. The reference helps rebuilders cross-check the drum.
Slipping or no third, fourth or reverse while first and second work normally, often with burned material in the pan.
ATF+4. Soak the new frictions in it before assembly and set the level hot.
