The stator, or reactor, is positioned between the turbine and impeller. The purpose of the stator is to change the direction of fluid flow as it moves from the center of the turbine to the center of the impeller.

The stator consists of several blades attached to a hub which is mounted on a one-way clutch.

The clutch assembly has an inner and outer race, or ring, with the two races separated by spring-loaded rollers. The inner race is mounted on a splined, or grooved, stator support, which extends from the transmission into the torque converter. Because the inner race is splined to the stator support, it is fixed and cannot turn.

The outer race is placed over the inner race. The inner and outer races are separated by spring-loaded rollers. The rollers are positioned against the low end of ramps machined into the outer race. When the springs are installed, the rollers are held against the ramps.

The rollers, ramps, and races allow the outer race to turn in only one direction. When the stator turns clockwise, each roller moves down the ramp against the spring, allowing the stator to turn. If the stator is rotated in the opposite direction, the spring pushes each roller up the ramp, where it becomes wedged between the two races. With the rollers wedged, the stator is locked to the inner race and cannot rotate.