[Fastlap36]

I have a 1985 Dodge Charger sports compact race car that my grandson races on a 1/4 mile dirt track.
Last week there was an on track altercation when coming out of turn 2 the inside car lost control and the rear of the car caught my grandson left front tire and damaged the ring and pinion and broke the driverside CV axle.
After replacing the ring and pinion and CV axle i drove the car 40' and the new axle started slamming and popping and the new axle broke.
Could the A525 manual transmission be severely damaged or is it possible that the gears were welded to make it a front wheel posi traction and the gears broke.
It appears the previous owner had opened that area previously.
And input would be helpful.

 

[d_snook6]

It’s unlikely that the differential is or was welded, but entirely possible something broke internally, when these diffs lock up you get severe binding issues when you go to turn. I’ve had spider gears bust in one and it locked up solid.
Also check for equal free play in cv axles on both sides, remove the axle nuts and push the axle in and measure each side.

 

[Fastlap36]

Looks like i will be replacing transmission soon. I do have an automatic to put in til the tranny can get further inspected

 

[NAJ]

 

[Glhs60]

The A-525 is the weakest of all our trans, especially in the diff, area.

It's not uncommon for dirt trackers to weld the diff to make a locker.

As with everything, there is a right and not so right way to weld them.

The axle and spider gears should NOT be welded together.

This encourages breakage, I've welded many RWD diffs.in my day.

Any 5 speed from any FWD 2.2/2.5, 1987 and up will be a lot stronger.

EG: 520, 523, 555, 568 EG: Daytona, Shadow, LeBaron etc. Turbo or N/A

Excepting, L body, Charger, Omni, Horizon, Rampage, they all ran weak 525's

1988-1990 automatic Omni axles must be also used for their larger inner splines.

All non L-body trans listed above used stronger diffs. with large spline axle gears.

If sourcing a trans try to get it's matching shift cables and shifter.

They vary, depending on the transmission used.

1987-89 520/555 are compatible, as are 1990 up 523/568.

All transmissions fit all blocks 2.2/2/5 but there are 6 &8 bolt flywheels.

Thanks
Randy

 

[Glhs60]

Just AFYI.

Around 1985 2.2 cranks went from 6 bolt to 8 bolt flywheels.

At the same time torque converters went from 3 to 4 bolts.

Also, the trans pump snouts were different so there can be mismatches.

This era can be confusing as these were running changes during the year.

They also upgraded to 11 mm head bolts from 10mm.

Thanks
Randy

Looks like i will be replacing transmission soon. I do have an automatic to put in til the tranny can get further inspected

 

[Fastlap36]

Just AFYI.

Around 1985 2.2 cranks went from 6 bolt to 8 bolt flywheels.

At the same time torque converters went from 3 to 4 bolts.

Also, the trans pump snouts were different so there can be mismatches.

This era can be confusing as these were running changes during the year.

They also upgraded to 11 mm head bolts from 10mm.

Thanks
Randy

 

[Fastlap36]

Thank you for the input, I will search to see if I can find one of these dinosaurs in the Northern Missouri area.

 

[Fastlap36]

I just discovered when i tighten down the CV axle nut than i cannot rotate the rotor.
It completely locks up the front tires.
When i loosen the bolt it rotates fine but i also noticed that the rotor is bent and jamming between the brake pads.
Im searching for a new spindle and rotor in hopes this fixes the problem.