T-1302 Direct Clutch Spring Compressor for A518 46RE 47RE 48RE

This is the T-1302 style spring compressor for the direct clutch pack in Chrysler's RH and RE overdrive automatics. When you split the case on an A518 or a 47RE, the direct clutch retainer sits under a heavy Belleville-style return spring, and that spring is under real load. Trying to walk the snap ring out with a screwdriver is how techs lose knuckles and how retainers end up bent. This tool seats over the drum and pushes the retainer down evenly, opening the snap ring groove so you can pop the ring out or set it back in without a fight.

Fitment covers the family: 1989-up A500 and 42RE, 1991-up A518 (46RE), A618 (47RE), and the 2003-up 48RE, plus the 44RE in between. These are the transmissions behind millions of Dodge Ram trucks, Durangos, Dakotas and Grand Cherokees, so if you rebuild Mopar overdrive units this is a bench staple. It works on the direct clutch specifically, which is the clutch that gives these units their overdrive and lockup headaches, so you will be in here often.

The body is forged steel with an electrophoresis (e-coat) finish to hold off rust in a wet shop, and it is made in the USA. Set it square on the retainer, run the center screw down slow, and let the tool do the work rather than cocking it to one side. One field note carried over from real reviews: the paint can chip in shipping, which is cosmetic and does not affect how it clamps.