Bench-mount press that compresses the clutch drum return spring so you can pull the snap ring safely instead of fighting a spring under load.
If you are tearing down a TH400 out of a Chevy truck, a C6 out of a Ford, or a 727 out of a Dodge, every clutch drum on the bench has the same lock: a piston return spring held down by a retainer and a snap ring. This heavy steel T-0158 pattern compressor holds that spring down so you can get the ring out, change the piston seals, and put it all back together without guessing. It bolts to the bench or clamps in a vise and takes drums up to about 6 inches across.
Inside each rotating clutch drum, the apply piston is pushed home by a return spring pack or a Belleville style spring. A flat retainer sits on top of the springs and a snap ring locks the retainer to the drum hub. Until the springs are pushed down past that ring groove, the ring cannot move. The compressor uses a screw feed through a bridge, with long legs that reach the retainer in deep drums, so the load goes on evenly and comes off slowly. Factory rebuild procedures assume this step: the ATSG procedure for the GM 5L40-E clutch housing, for example, compresses the shared return spring on a press, fits a new snap ring, and checks that the ring is fully seated before letting the press go.
This tool works on the clutch drums and housings that come out of the case. The T-0158-HD design it is patterned after is listed for the Turbo-Hydramatic 180, 375, 400, 425 and 475, Ford C4, C5, C6, AOD, AODE and ATX, and Chrysler 904 and 727 (30RH and 36RH). It is also listed for the 700-R4 with the drum out of the case. It is not meant for pistons that live in the back of the case, such as the 700-R4 and 4L60E low and reverse piston; that job takes our T-0151 rear clutch spring compressor. Read TH400 rebuild wear points or our C6 rebuild cost breakdown to see which drums you will be opening.
Capacity is common clutch drums up to 6 inches, with legs long enough for deep drums. Before you start, set the drum on the base, center the bridge on the spring retainer, and make sure the legs bear on the retainer and not on the snap ring. If your drum is a metric or front-drive design not on the list above, measure the retainer and drum depth against the tool before relying on it, or send us your transmission model and we will tell you what we know.
Built from heavy steel for years of shop use, and it ships fast from the USA.
| Type | Clutch drum spring compressor, bench or vise mount |
| Capacity | Clutch drums up to 6 inches |
| Fits | GM, Chrysler, Ford, Turbo-style automatics |
| Replaces | Atec Trans-Tool T-0158-HD pattern |
| Material | Heavy-duty steel |
The T-0158-HD design is listed for TH180, TH375, TH400, TH425 and TH475, Ford C4, C5, C6, AOD, AODE and ATX, and Chrysler 904 and 727. It also works on 700-R4 drums once they are out of the case.
No. That piston stays in the rear of the case and this tool is not designed for case pistons. Use a T-0151 style rear clutch spring compressor for that one.
Common clutch drums up to about 6 inches, and the long legs reach down into deep drums.
It should be bolted to a bench or clamped in a vise. A loaded spring pack needs a solid base, and mounting it leaves both hands free for the snap ring.
Snap ring pliers, a feeler gauge for clutch clearance, an air nozzle for checking pistons, and new piston seals for every drum you open.
