1935 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

67
CLUTCH
Service Information
1. Cadillac Clutch Balance
Cadillac clutches are properly balanced before
they leave the factory and each of the three
plates is marked in line so that the plates can be
lined up without rebalancing any time the clutch
is disassembled. The marking consists of a circle
in which a letter may appear. If the circles on
each of the three plates are lined up whenever the
clutch is reassembled after disassembly, there
should be no difficulty experienced of an out of
balance condition.
2. Servicing the LaSalle Clutch
REMOVAL AND DISASSEMBLY
To remove and disassemble the LaSalle clutch,
proceed as follows:
1. Disconnect the front universal joint (or
remove propeller shaft), dismount the transmission
and remove the clutch housing and pan. See note
in Operation No. 3.
2. Mark the flywheel, cover and spring pressure
plate with a center punch so that the clutch parts
may be reassembled in the same position on the
flywheel. This is important because the clutch
assembly is balanced.
3. Loosen the retaining screws, holding the
clutch on the flywheel, a turn or two at a time
until the spring pressure is released (this should
be carefully done to prevent springing the flanged
edge of the clutch cover). The retaining screws
can then be removed and the complete clutch
with the driven disc lifted off of the flywheel.
NOTE: The clutch may be removed from the
underside after taking off the removable frame
cross member and the clutch housing pan if
desired without disturbing the clutch housing.
The retaining screw for the clutch release yoke
must also be loosened before the clutch can be
removed.
If it is found necessary to replace any parts of
the cover assembly, this unit can be dismantled,
reassembled and adjusted with the aid of an
arbor press as follows:
1. Place the clutch cover on the bed of the
press with a block under the spring pressure plate
so arranged that the cover is left free to move
down. Place a block or bar across the top of the
cover, resting it on the spring bosses.
2. Compress the cover with the spindle of the
press and while holding it under compression,
remove the adjusting nuts. Next slowly release
the pressure to prevent the springs from flying out.
3. The cover can then be lifted off after which
all parts should be cleaned and inspected.
4. Inspect the springs and replace them if they
show signs of overheating due to clutch slippage.
If the springs have been overheated, they will
show a pronounced blue color, indicating the
temper has been drawn, or else the paint will be
burned off the springs. If the heating has continued
long enough, the springs will have a dark
gray color, indicating that the temper has been
entirely removed from them.
5. Inspect the facings and replace the driven
disc assembly if the facings are worn nearly to
the rivet heads or are oil soaked.
6. Remove the release levers. To do this,
grasp the lever and eyebolt between the thumb
and fingers so that inner end of the lever and the
upper end of the eyebolt are as near together as
possible, keeping the eyebolt pin seated in its
socket in the lever. The strut can then be lifted
over the ridge on the end of the lever, allowing the
lever and eyebolt to be lifted off the pressure plate.
REASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION
The clutch is reassembled and installed in the
reverse order of its removal and disassembly.
When installing the clutch cover, care should
be taken to arrange it and the pressure plate in
the correct position according to the markings
made on these parts before they were removed.
Also make sure that the springs remain in their
seats.
After installing the cover and while holding the
clutch under compression in the press, turn down
the adjusting nuts on the eyebolts until they are
just flush with the ends of the eyebolts.
It is a good plan to release the pressure on the
clutch several times before taking it out of the
press to permit all moving parts to settle into their
working positions. This can be done with the
press, by applying the spindle to the inner ends
of the clutch release levers.
Satisfactory operation of the clutch is largely
dependent on accurate adjustment of the release
levers to bring the face of the pressure plate
parallel with that of the flywheel. This cannot be
accomplished by setting the levers parallel to the
face of the release bearing after the clutch has
been assembled to the flywheel, because of variation
in thickness of the driven disc assembly. The
only accurate method is to adjust the release
levers with the pressure plate held parallel to the
flywheel by a clutch lever adjusting disc, Tool
No. J-285. The setting of the release levers
should not vary more than .005 in. between one
lever and the others.
Whenever a new clutch disc or transmission is
installed in the LaSalle, care should be taken to
fit the clutch disc hub to the clutch connection
shaft. This may be done by applying graphite to