4L85E Clutch Module 1997-2009, new and ready to install. Fits the 4L85E. Ships fast from the USA.
Tearing down a 4L85E from an 8.1L or 6.0L Chevrolet or GMC heavy-duty pickup or van, and the steels came out blued, heat-checked or dished? Reusing them under new frictions is how a fresh rebuild ends up with a fourth-gear slip or a shudder a few thousand miles later. This listing is titled as a clutch module, and specifically it is a new 21-piece steel clutch plate module: the steel side of every clutch pack in the unit, with the correct thickness for each location. Friction discs are not part of it.
The turbulator holes in the fourth and overrun steels let oil move through the pack, which keeps drag and heat down in clutches that spend a lot of time released and spinning.
Each clutch in the 4L85E is a stack of lined frictions splined to one member and flat steels lugged to another. When the piston squeezes the stack, the steels give the frictions a hard, flat surface to grip; when it releases, they have to separate cleanly. The direct clutch carries third, fourth and reverse, the fourth clutch handles the overdrive gear, and the overrun clutch only works in the manual ranges for engine braking. A steel that has warped or lost its surface finish cannot clamp evenly, so it overheats the new frictions next to it no matter how good they are.
Lay each old steel on a flat surface and look for rocking, then check the faces for heat discoloration and glazing. If the direct clutch burned, find out why before you reassemble, because Sonnax documents a worn reverse checkball sleeve in the valve body as one cause of third and fourth slip and direct clutch damage. Our 4L85E 3-4 clutch failure guide walks through that diagnosis, and 4L85E common problems and fixes covers what else to check while the case is open.
Listed for the 4L80E from 1997 through 2009, the 4L80E-HD (MN8) in 2002, and the 4L85E from 2002 through 2009, used in Chevrolet and GMC trucks, SUVs and commercial vans. Plate counts can differ between high-capacity and standard builds, so count the steels in each of your packs and compare thickness with a micrometer before you install. If you are unsure what you have, send us your year and VIN. If you are still deciding between the two units, our 4L80E vs 4L85E guide explains what changed. Every part for this transmission is on the 4L85E collection page.
| Fits | 4L85E 1997-2009 |
| Part type | Clutch Module |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | GM |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
No. It is steel plates only, 21 pieces covering the forward, direct, intermediate, fourth and overrun clutches. Frictions, seals and gaskets are sold separately.
It is listed for the 4L85E from 2002 through 2009, which includes the 8.1L heavy-duty trucks. Count and measure your old steels to confirm before installing, or send us your VIN.
They are thicker (.099 in.) and have turbulator holes to move oil through the pack and reduce drag while those clutches are released.
Only if they are flat and free of heat marks and glazing. Steels from a pack that burned should be replaced along with the frictions.
Dexron VI ATF, soaking new frictions in it before assembly.
