4L80E Sprag Clutch 1991-95, new and ready to install. Fits the 4L80E. Ships fast from the USA.
Early 4L80E owners with a 1991 to 1995 Chevy or GMC 2500 or 3500, Suburban 2500, full-size van or Hummer H1 that will not take off in Drive, or that drops into neutral on the 1-2 shift, usually end up needing one of these two parts. This is a new pair from BorgWarner: the low roller clutch and a heavy-duty 34-element intermediate sprag. The design dates back to the TH400 the 4L80E grew out of, which is why the listing also references that transmission.
The low roller clutch lives at the back of the gear train and holds the rear planet carrier against reverse rotation. It is the only thing giving you 1st gear in Drive; in manual 1 the rear band applies and backs it up. Once 2nd engages, the low roller freewheels. The intermediate sprag rides in the direct drum on a hardened outer race. When the intermediate clutch applies for 2nd, the sprag locks and holds the sun gear; on the 2-3 shift the direct clutch applies and the sprag overruns so the transmission does not bind up. A worn sprag or a rolled element turns the 1-2 shift into a flare, and Sonnax notes rollover and race damage are common in high-torque builds.
Range testing tells you which one-way clutch to blame. Compare Drive with manual 1: a truck that only launches in manual 1 has a low roller problem. A flare only on the 1-2 shift in Drive needs a line pressure check before you blame the sprag, because low apply pressure burns the intermediate clutch that the sprag depends on. The Silverado 2500 common problems guide covers these early-truck failures, and the 4L80E problems and fixes guide explains pressure testing.
Listed for 4L80E transmissions from 1991 through 1995, the early generation. The low roller clutch changed to an 8-leg design for later units, so a 1996 or newer 4L80E takes the 1996-2001 three-piece sprag set instead. Transmissions built around the 1995 to 1996 changeover can go either way, so compare the low roller on your bench, or send your year and VIN. The intermediate sprag fits sprag-style direct drums, the type used in the 4L80E; some older TH400 drums used a roller-type intermediate clutch and need a different part. More early parts are on our 4L80E collection.
| Fits | 4L80E 1991-95 |
| Part type | Sprag Clutch |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | OEM |
| Reference | TH400 |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
Two new BorgWarner parts: the low roller clutch for early 4L80E units and a heavy-duty 34-element intermediate sprag. It does not include the overdrive roller clutch.
No. Later units use an 8-leg low roller clutch. Order the 1996-2001 sprag set instead, and compare parts if your transmission was built near the 1995 to 1996 change.
That is the typical pattern. In manual 1 the rear band holds the carrier, so the truck still moves even when the low roller has failed. Check fluid level and line pressure first.
The 4L80E is built on TH400 architecture and shares the low roller and intermediate sprag design. The intermediate sprag fits sprag-style direct drums only.
The intermediate clutch pack, the rear band if the low roller failed, the drum sealing rings, and the overdrive roller clutch if the unit is apart.
Dexron VI ATF, checked hot. It replaces the older Dexron specifications for these transmissions.
