Ford 5R110W transmissions often suffer failure of the direct clutch assembly due to OE design shortcomings. A main problem is flexing and bowing of the backing plate (coning), especially when apply pressures exceed OE specifications, which is a primary source of clutch failure.

Sonnax heavy duty direct clutch backing plate 36965-03 is designed to minimize flexing/bowing when the clutch is applied, drastically reducing the likelihood of clutch plate distortion. The stiffer backing plate design outperforms OE and aftermarket plates.