1938 Cadillac V16 - GM Heritage Center

within the car as it is driven over the road. Its results
are illustrated below.
Conventional Ride
Cadillac Knee
Action Ride
\ v w y
/'"' 'X
^"•"- —-4-—- —- — 4.
Some manufacturers have tried to conform to the
fundamental Knee Action principle by softening their
front semi-elliptic or transverse springs. In order to
achieve sufficient softness they have either reduced the
number of leaves to the point where the spring would
break easily or they have lengthened the spring, which
increases front axle movement and interferes with
steering geometry. Another method uses a transverse
spring with lubricant in the center core of the spring
which has proved far too inflexible with the result that
riding qualities are noticeably poor. Still others have
changed the positions of the seats relative to the wheels,
V-8 and Fleetwood Knee Action
but this is only a slight modification of the conventional
axle and leaf spring design. From every practical design
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