4L85E Clutch Module 1990-1996, new and ready to install. Fits the 4L85E. Ships fast from the USA.
If your 1990s three-quarter or one-ton Chevrolet or GMC, Suburban 2500 or full-size van with the heavy-duty four-speed automatic now slips once it is warm, flares on the upshifts or leaves black fluid on the dipstick, the lined plates inside the clutch packs are the usual culprit. This listing is a new friction module, listing reference A34119A, for 1990 through 1996 units. It is filed under our 4L85E parts because the 4L85E is built on the same clutch layout, but read the fitment section first: those years were all built as the original 4L80E.
GM built the 4L80E on the Turbo 400, then added an overdrive section in front of it. The finished unit holds its gears with five multi-plate clutches (overrun, fourth, forward, direct and intermediate) working with a reverse band and one-way clutches. In each pack, lined frictions sit between flat steel plates, and when apply oil pushes the piston the stack clamps and locks a planetary member. A friction module is the set of lined plates for those packs, so a rebuild gets fresh lining in every position instead of mixing new plates with tired ones. The photo shows frictions of several sizes and lining colors, which is normal: each clutch position uses its own diameter and spline.
Drop the pan first. Lining material and a dark paste on the magnet confirm the packs are worn, but they do not tell you why. On the 1995-and-later builds, Sonnax documents a reverse checkball sleeve in the 3-4 shift valve bore that wears and bleeds off direct clutch oil, and that burns the direct pack again even with new plates. Match the gears that slip to the apply chart in our 4L85E and 4L80E common problems guide, and if the slip is in 3rd and 4th, work through the 3-4 clutch failure guide before ordering parts.
The 4L80E arrived for the 1991 model year and the heavy-duty 4L85E did not appear until about 2002, so no factory 4L85E exists for these years. The difference between the two is mainly in the geartrain, five-pinion planetaries in place of four-pinion sets, which our 4L80E vs 4L85E comparison covers. The clutch packs are the same family. The real catch is 1995. Raybestos splits its 4L80E friction packs at a mid-1995 production change, one pack for 1991 to early 1995 and another for late 1995 on, so a 1995 unit needs to be identified before you order. Match the A34119A reference against your old plates or kit, or send us your year, VIN and transmission tag. If your unit is a late 1995 build, compare it with our 1995 friction module. Every heavy-duty part we carry for this family is on the 4L85E collection page.
After the rebuild, refill with DEXRON VI, check the level hot on a level surface, and let the truck relearn its shifts over a few days of normal driving before judging the shift feel.
| Fits | 4L85E 1990-1996 |
| Part type | Clutch Module |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | OEM |
| Reference | A34119A |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
The 4L85E came out around 2002 and shares the 4L80E clutch layout, but plate specifications changed over the years. This module is listed for 1990-1996 units, which were all built as 4L80E. For a 2002-and-later 4L85E, send us your year and VIN so we can match the correct module.
Possibly. Raybestos splits its 4L80E friction packs at a mid-1995 production change. Compare the A34119A reference and your old plates, or send your VIN and transmission tag, and we will confirm whether you need this module or the 1995-specific one.
Piston seals and gaskets from a master rebuild kit at minimum, plus any steel plates that are blued or warped. Inspect bushings, the direct drum bore and the reverse checkball sleeve, since worn parts there bleed pressure and burn new frictions.
Soak the frictions and refill with DEXRON VI, then check the level with the fluid hot and the truck level.
No. Replacing frictions means the transmission comes out and the packs are disassembled, so it is done as part of an overhaul. Pressure test first so you also fix the leak that wore the original plates.
