1938 LaSalle Production - GM Heritage Center

are used for durability. Drums are of expensive composite
design and are ribbed for cooling.
Braking ratio is 57% front and 43% rear.
Hotchkiss Drive
The Hotchkiss type of drive is particularly suited to
Sixteen chassis requirements because of its long wheelbase
and weight. This type of drive contributes to riding
qualities by reducing unsprung weight and by cushioning
starting and stopping strains from the rear axle
through the rear springs before they reach the frame.
Rear axle action over rough roads is restrained because
the wheels are allowed to follow road irregularities
freely.
The propeller shaft is four inches shorter which improves
high speed smoothness. Refinements in design
of the universal joint flanges serve to maintain the
precision balance of the propeller shaft after assembly.
There are two needle bearing universal joints which
are permanently packed with lubricant.
Hypoid Rear Axle and Differential
A new hypoid rear axle has been designed for the Sixteen
which incorporates the most advanced engineering
with structural durability features exclusive to Cadillac
precision manufacture. The basic principles follow those
which proved so satisfactory in the previous LaSalle
and Cadillac 60 with one exception. Instead of a shim
adjustment for the differential bearings, the sleeves
which hold these bearings in position are threaded so
that adjustment is effected by rotating the sleeve.
The new semi-floating axle is unusually strong for
its weight. A cylindrical differential housing which
encircles tapered roller differential bearings is carried
within a heavily ribbed carrier. The axle cover is