8HP45 Clutch Module 2011, new and ready to install. Fits the 8HP45. Ships fast from the USA.
When a BMW 328i or X3, a Dodge Charger or Chrysler 300 with the 3.6L, or a Ram 1500 V6 starts flaring between gears or slipping when you lean on it, and the fluid comes out dark and smelling burnt, the friction plates inside the eight-speed are worn. This is a new Raybestos GPZ friction clutch pack, part number RGPZ-278, for the ZF 8HP45 from 2011 on, the same gearbox Chrysler builds under license as the TorqueFlite 845RE. It is a complete friction set for a teardown rebuild, made in the USA from Raybestos' GPZ high-energy friction material rather than standard OE-grade lining.
The 8HP45 gets eight forward gears out of four simple planetary sets and only five shift elements. ZF letters them A through E: A and B are multi-plate brakes that hold gear members to the case, and C, D and E are rotating clutches. Three of the five are applied in every gear, and each shift releases one element while applying another. Because every element works in several gears, one glazed pack can spoil more than one shift. The RGPZ-278 replaces the lined plates in all five packs: five GPZ775 plates for A, five GPZ776 for B, six GPZ777 for C, five GPZ778 for D and six more GPZ777 for E, 27 friction plates in total. Raybestos rates GPZ for heat, repeated cycling and higher torque than the original material, and states it is built to hold piston travel, which matters on a unit whose controller times every apply against learned clearance.
Plenty of 8HP shift complaints are not friction failures. BMW's own diagnosis bulletin tells technicians to check the fluid level on every concern first, and because there is no dipstick these units are easy to leave low. Worn bores at the clutch holding valves and the pressure regulator in the valve body can also cause flare and harsh shifts that feel exactly like burnt plates, and a leaking connector sleeve drops apply pressure the same way. Our ZF8HP common problems guide walks through those checks, and the Charger 8HP shift problems guide covers the 845RE side. If the level is correct, the software is current and the pan shows friction material, the packs are done and this set is the right buy.
This pack is listed for the 8HP45 from 2011 on. Factory 8HP45 applications include the BMW F30 3 Series, F32 4 Series, F10 5 Series, F25 X3, F15 X5 and E84 X1, plus Jaguar and Land Rover models. The 845RE version covers the 3.6L Pentastar Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger and Durango, the 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L and the 2012-2019 Ram 1500 3.6L. It is not listed for the higher-torque 8HP70 or 8HP90, or for the second-generation 8HP50 and 850RE, which use different plate packs. The transmission tag on the case names the exact unit; read it, compare your old plates, or send us your year and VIN before ordering. More parts for this family are on our ZF 8HP parts page.
This is a frictions-only set. Steel plates, piston seals and gaskets are not included, so inspect the steels for heat bluing and scoring and reuse them only if they are flat and clean. Soak every new plate in fresh ATF for at least 30 minutes, keep each pack in its lettered group, and measure clearance on every element before the case closes. If the old fluid was badly burnt, the valve body has been living in that debris too; a remanufactured 8HP45 valve body or the 8HP45 valve body with solenoids saves a second teardown. Fill with ZF LifeguardFluid 8 or your brand's approved equivalent. The RWD units have a special fill procedure, so do not stop because the case reads full after four quarts. Finish with a hot level check and an adaptation reset and relearn with a capable scan tool.
| Fits | 8HP45 2011 |
| Part type | Clutch Module |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | Raybestos |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
The 845RE is Chrysler's licensed version of the ZF 8HP45, and Raybestos lists the RGPZ-278 for 8HP45 applications including the Dodge Charger. It is not for the later 850RE. Read the tag on the case or send us your year and VIN and we will confirm.
27 Raybestos GPZ friction plates grouped for the five shift elements: five A, five B, six C, five D and six E. Steel plates, seals and gaskets are not included.
Raybestos designs GPZ for high heat, repeated cycling and more torque than the original lining, and recommends it for towing, high-stress driving and tuned engines. On a stock daily driver it simply gives you extra margin.
Only if the plates are actually worn. Low fluid, outdated software, valve body bore wear and a leaking connector sleeve cause many harsh-shift complaints. Check those first; worn frictions usually show up as slip and flare with burnt fluid.
Use ZF LifeguardFluid 8 or the factory-approved equivalent for your brand, fill using the correct procedure and check the level hot. Then reset and relearn the clutch adaptations with a scan tool so the controller learns the new clearances.
