Compresses the low and reverse clutch spring retainer in the rear of a GM 4L60E/700R4 case so you can pull the snap ring without the piston return spring launching.
If your Silverado, Tahoe, S10 or Camaro has a 4L60E that drives forward fine but has no reverse and no engine braking in manual low, the low and reverse clutch at the back of the case is on the suspect list. Getting to that clutch means removing its piston, and that piston is held in by a return spring and a snap ring that will not come out while the spring is loaded. The T-0151 rear clutch spring compressor clamps the retainer down so the ring can be lifted out, then lets the spring rise under control.
In Drive first gear the rear carrier is held by a one-way roller clutch, so the low and reverse pack is not working at all. It applies in Park, Reverse and Manual Low, where it holds that carrier against the direction the roller clutch cannot. Reverse needs it and the reverse input clutch applied together. Because the pack sits at the very bottom of the case, it is the last thing out on teardown and the first thing in on assembly, and its piston and return spring are what this tool controls.
Do not split the case on the symptom alone. A worn low overrun valve bore in the valve body bleeds off apply oil to both the reverse input and low and reverse clutches and reads exactly like a burnt pack, and a missing case checkball does the same. Check the fluid, inspect that valve bore and air-check the apply passages first. Our 4L60E low-reverse clutch failure guide walks through that order. If the pack is the problem, measure the steels on teardown: Raybestos lists the 1993-on low and reverse steels at 0.069 in. thick, five plates. Thin, blued or coned plates confirm a mechanical failure.
This listing covers the GM rear clutch layout shared by the 250, 250C, 350, 350C, 700R4, 4L60, 4L60-E, 4L65E, 4L70 and 4L70E, plus the 4T80-E. In 4L60E terms that is the unit behind the 1993-2013 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Yukon, Suburban, S10, Sonoma, Blazer, Camaro and Corvette. The legs bear on lugs cast into the case, so set the tool on your retainer before you load it and make sure all of it sits flat. Not sure what you have? Send us the year and VIN, or browse the 4L60E parts collection.
| Tool number | T-0151 |
| Fits | GM 250, 250C, 350, 350C, 700R4, 4L60, 4L60-E, 4L65E, 4L70, 4L70E, 4T80-E |
| Function | Removes and installs the rear low/reverse clutch piston return spring retainer |
| Material | Carbon steel |
| Weight | 1.44 lb |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
Yes. The listing covers the 700R4, 4L60 and 4L60-E along with the 4L65E, 4L70E, 4T80-E and the older 250 and 350 families, which share the rear low and reverse spring and snap ring arrangement.
No. The low and reverse piston is at the rear of the case and only comes out on a full teardown. A valve body or low overrun valve repair does not touch it.
The piston sits deep in the case, so a bench drum compressor usually cannot reach straight down onto the retainer. The T-0151 bears on the case itself, which keeps the load centered.
Replace the piston seals at minimum, and inspect the frictions, steels and the low roller clutch. Most rebuilders replace the full low and reverse pack and seals from an overhaul kit while the case is bare.
Dexron VI ATF. GM moved to Dexron VI for 2006 production and approved it as the replacement for 2005 and older units that originally used Dexron III.
