GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Special Tools

    • J 24204-2 Bar and Stud Assembly
    • J 44530 Clutch Piston Spring Compressor

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools.


    Object Number: 1217963  Size: SH

    Note: The low and reverse clutch backing plate installs in either direction. The plate may have no grooves, one side grooved, or both sides grooved.

  1. Install the low and reverse clutch backing plate (3).
  2. Note: The low and reverse clutch pack uses a single selective steel plate. The low and reverse clutch pack is stacked out of order to allow determining the required selective steel plate part number. When properly stacked, the top plate is a steel plate and the next 2 plates are fiber plates. The selective steel plate is not stacked. Steel plates have an ID number stamped on a tang. The identification number that does not match the other identification numbers is the selective steel plate.

  3. Starting with a low and reverse clutch fiber plate, alternately install the remaining 5 low and reverse clutch fiber plates (2) and the low and reverse clutch steel plates (1).
  4. Caution: Refer to 3-5 Reverse Clutch Backing Plate Rivet Damage Caution in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1218060  Size: SH
  5. Install J 24204-2 assembly J 24204-2 assembly  (3) and J 44530 compressor  (1) into the transmission case.
  6. Make sure J 24204-2 assembly does not damage the gear thrust plate rivets (4) on the 3rd, 5th, and reverse clutch backing plate assembly.
  7. Note: The low and reverse clutch plates need to be compressed enough to remove the coning from the plates. Hand tightening the wing nut of J 24204-2 assembly should be sufficient to remove the coning.

  8. Using the J 24204-2 assembly wing nut, compress the low and reverse clutch plates (2) until hand tight.

  9. Object Number: 1217960  Size: SH
  10. Place a 25 mm  (1 in) gage bar (2) on the rear surface of the transmission case at a location near J 44530 compressor .
  11. Measure the distance from the top of the gage bar to the top of the low and reverse clutch stack (3) (Dimension A).
  12. Subtract dimension B, the width of the gage bar; from dimension A.
  13. Dimension C is the result of the subtraction.
  14. Select a low and reverse clutch steel plate based upon Dimension C. Refer to Selective Components Specifications.

  15. Object Number: 1218060  Size: SH

    Note: DO NOT damage the input carrier bushing when removing J 24204-2 from the transmission case. The threaded rod of J 24204-2 must pass through but not touch the bushing.

  16. Remove J 24204-2 assembly  (3) and J 44530 compressor  (1).

  17. Object Number: 1216914  Size: SH
  18. Remove 6 low and reverse clutch fiber plates (2) and 5 low and reverse clutch steel plates (1).