1938 Cadillac V16 - GM Heritage Center

8
Cadillac-LaSaile Preliminary Service Information
Threaded spring bolts and bushings are used at
the front end of 38-50 and 60 rear springs. Threaded
"U" type shackles, similar to those used on 37-50,
are used at the rear. Rubber bushings are used at
the spring bolt and upper shackle bearing of 38-65,
75 and 90 rear springs. These shackles are of the
double bar type with a threaded lower shackle
bearing.
The use of double-acting hydraulic shock absorbers
with end-to-end discharge is continued on
all 38-series cars. The 38-50 and 60 shock absorbers,
both front and rear, are unchanged from
37-50 practice. The 38-65 and 75 shock absorbers
are unchanged from previous design except that
new links are used, having rubber bushings similar
to but larger than those used on 37-50. The 38-90
shock absorbers are the same as those used on
38-75- The manually-operated ride control used
on 37-90 cars is no longer employed.
The cross link type of rear stabilizer as installed
on 37-50 and 60 cars is used unchanged on
38-50. A cross link stabilizer of new design is
used on 38-60, 65, 75 and 90 cars. This stabilizer
Fig. 3. Cross link type of rear stabilizer used on 38-60,
65, 75 and 90
is adjusted in much the same manner as the 38-50
stabilizer. To make the adjustment, back off the
adjusting nuts shown in Fig. 3, load down the
rear of the car until the stabilizer bar is parallel to
the frame cross member and the rear springs are
perfectly straight, then tighten the adjusting nuts
securely.
Service operations on springs and shock absorbers
are unchanged from previous practice.
Brakes
Braking area
38-50
& 60
220 sq. in.
Brake Drums—
Inside diameter 12"
Out-of-round, not over 007"
Brake Lining Size—
Length: Front primary 12ii*
Front secondary 12¾"
Rear primary llW
Rear secondary.. .. YlW
38-65 38-75 & 90
246 sq. in. 257.5 sq. in.
12*
.007"
14"
.007"
12½"
15"
15"
15"
Self-energizing hydraulic brakes with composite
drums are used on all 38-series cars. The brakes on
38-50, 60 and 75 are continued without major
change from the 37-series. On series 38-65, the
rear brake drum width has been increased from
2 to 2½ inches, providing a total braking area of
246 square TncKes^ CMierws^TSe^j^-^S^iralces -
are unchanged.
38-50
& 60 38-65 38-75 & 90
Brake Lining Sire—
Width: Front linings 2½" 2¼" 1¼'
Rear linings 2" 2½' 2½"
Thickness: Front & rear A" &" H."
Composition:
Primary linings Moulded Moulded Moulded
Secondary linings
Clearance between lining and
drum 010" .010" .010"
The 38-90 V-16 brakes are similar to the 38-75
except that ribbed brake drums are used to provide
better cooling. The brake assister formerly used
has been discontinued.
Service operations on the 38-series brakes are
unchanged from the 37-series procedures. The
dust seal used around the edges of the brake drums
and backing plates on 37-series Cadillacs has been
discontinued for 1938.