1930 Cadillac Brochure Front Cover - GM Heritage Center

Cadillac steering yearassemblies are inspected
Jor satisfactory operation and ease of control
by these sensitive gauges before being installed
in a car
long grades. A coil spring
encircles each drum to dissipate
heat and to muffle
noise. Lead tips are provided
on the long shoes to
pick up any particles
which may score the
drums.
It is an established
fact that in braking systems
at least 50 per cent
of the foot pressure applied
by the driver is lost
through friction in the system before actually reaching the brakes.
The Cadillac braking system, by the unique use of fifteen sets of
roller bearings, has prevented this loss to a hitherto unprecedented
degree. This fact, together with the scientific design of the brakes,
results in the astonishing ease with which the brakes are operated.
No other motor car manufacturers employ roller bearings throughout
their brake construction.
Apart from their remarkable efficiency, these new Cadillac-designed
brakes present decided advantages by being wholly enclosed
within the drums, thus avoiding the usual troubles caused by mud,
water, etc. The rods and cables which operate the brakes have been
so designed that the braking action remains entirely unaffected
over the roughest roads. Adjustment, when required at infrequent
intervals, is effected by a single nut on each wheel which is easily
accessible from the outside.
SPRINGS
The springs are one of the most important units in that they
make easy riding an actuality. Cadillac spring suspension is of the
semi-elliptic type with extremely long and flexible springs underslung
at the rear, giving a lower center of gravity without sacrificing
head room. The total spring length on each side is 102 inches which
represents 73 per cent of the 140-inch wheelbase. The spring leaves
are forged from silico-manganese steel, accurately heat-treated for
maximum life. An unusual feature is a special design for the ends of
the leaves, permitting them to slide over one another without
digging into each other. Dilferent springs are employed for different
body styles to give perfect riding under all conditions.
The rear springs, having been relieved of all driving forces by
the torque tube, are shackled at both ends with shackles of the tension
type. The rear shackles of the fron t spring are of a special design
which adds materially to the riding qualities of the car. Duo-draulic
shock absorbers are fitted
to each spring, controlling
their action and adding
wonderfully to the
remarkable riding qualities
of the new Cadillac.
All springs are protected
by spring covers packed
with petrolatum, insuring
perfect lubrication and
. . ..