4T40E Clutch Module, new and ready to install. Fits the 4T40E. Ships fast from the USA.
If your Cavalier, Malibu, Cobalt, HHR, Sunfire, Grand Am or Alero has started flaring between shifts, slipping when you pull away, or smelling burnt after a drive, the friction plates inside the 4T40E or 4T45E transaxle are the usual suspect. This listing is the Raybestos HT (Hybrid Technology) friction clutch pack module, part number RHT96-088, built for 1995-on 4T40E and 4T45E units. It holds every friction plate for all five clutch packs, so the whole unit is re-clutched with one matched set instead of a mix of old and new plates.
The 4T40E is GM's light-duty four-speed front-wheel-drive transaxle. Inside it are five multi-plate clutches (forward, direct, coast, reverse and 2nd), two bands (intermediate/4th and low/reverse) and two roller clutches. Each clutch pack alternates friction plates with steel plates; when line pressure strokes the piston, the pack clamps and locks one gearset member to another. The friction lining is what transfers the torque, so once it glazes or wears thin the pack slips, heats the fluid and starts chewing up the steels next to it.
RHT96-088 contains 23 frictions: 7 forward high energy, 6 direct high energy, 3 2nd high energy, 3 reverse HT and 4 coast HT. The reverse and coast plates use Raybestos' HT hybrid lining and the rest are high-energy paper. This is a frictions-only module. Steel plates are a separate kit (Raybestos 000448 is the matching steel module), so reuse your steels only if they are flat, unscored and not blued.
Slipping in the 4T40E is not always the frictions. Pressure control solenoid faults and valve body bore wear are both common in this unit and can burn a good clutch pack in short order, so rule them out before you blame the plates.
Check the fluid level and condition first, then note which gear slips; a slip only in one range points to the pack that applies in that range. A line pressure test tells you whether the pack is starving for oil or simply worn out. Our transmission slipping diagnosis guide walks through the order of checks, and the pressure testing guide covers hooking up a gauge and reading the numbers. If pressure is low, fix the pump, regulator or solenoid problem as part of the rebuild or the new frictions will not last.
RHT96-088 is catalogued for the GM 4T40E and 4T45E from 1995 on. That covers vehicles such as the 1995-2005 Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire, Malibu and Oldsmobile Alero, Pontiac Grand Am, 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 HHR, Pontiac G5 and Saturn Ion. GM made running changes to this transaxle over its life, so compare the plates you pull out (tooth count, outside diameter, quantity per drum) against the new ones before assembly. If you are unsure, send us your year and VIN and we will check it. You can browse every part we carry for this unit on the 4T40E parts page. If you want an Alto-brand high-energy module instead, see the 4T40E 1995-up friction module.
| Fits | 4T40E |
| Part type | Clutch Module |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | OEM |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
No. RHT96-088 is frictions only: 7 forward, 6 direct, 3 2nd, 3 reverse and 4 coast plates. The matching steel set is Raybestos 000448. Reuse your steels only if they are flat and free of heat discoloration and scoring.
Yes. Raybestos lists RHT96-088 for both the 4T40E and the 4T45E from 1995 on. Count the plates in each drum as you take it apart and compare them to the new set before you build it back up.
In this module the reverse and coast plates use the Raybestos HT hybrid lining, while the forward, direct and 2nd plates are high-energy material. Both are rated as OE-replacement for passenger vehicles.
Use Dexron VI ATF. Soak the new frictions in the same fluid for at least 30 minutes before assembly and check the level with the transaxle at operating temperature.
Only if the slip is caused by worn plates. Pressure control solenoid problems and valve body bore wear are common in the 4T40E and will burn new frictions too, so pressure test the unit and fix any oil supply problem during the rebuild.
