A/T - A604 Snap Ring Breakage
TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 177DATE: 1993
TRANSMISSION: A-604
SUBJECT: SNAP RING BREAKAGE
APPLICATION: CHRYSLER
A-604 Snap Ring Breakage
Many 1990 and later A-604's may experience a complaint of a broken overdrive/underdrive reaction plate tapered snap ring (Figure 1). This may be the original complaint or it may be a repeat failure.
To help prevent this failure there is a new design overdrive/underdrive reaction plate and tapered snap ring available. The new tapered snap ring is thicker than the previous design (Figure 2). The new underdrive/overdrive reaction plate has thinner lugs (Figure 3) to make room for the thicker snap ring. The new snap ring and reaction plate can only be installed into the late input retainer. See Figure 4 for retainer identification.
The new snap ring is slightly thicker than the previous design, and there is less taper. These changes provide for a much stronger ring.
The new overdrive/underdrive reaction plate has lugs that are thinner than previous plates. The reduced lug thickness was required to make room for the new thicker snap ring. The reaction plate is selective adjust of the underdrive clutch clearance.
SELECTIVE OVERDRIVE/UNDERDRIVE REACTION PLATES
THICKNESS PART #
.273"-.277" 4723681
.253"-.257" 4723682
.234"-.238" 4723683
.215"-.219" 4723684
The new reaction plate and snap ring will only fit the late retainer. Measure the thickness of material between the snap ring grooves to positively identify the retainer.
Approximately .125" = Early Retainer
Approximately .080" = Late Retainer