1935 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

146
SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS
The front shackle of the rear springs on the
Cadillac cars is of the rubber bushing type, using
but a single bolt necessitated by the use of the
Hotchkiss type of drive. The rear shackles have
rubber bushings at the upper bolt and a threaded
metal bushing at the lower bolt. Threaded
shackles are used at both ends of the rear springs
on the LaSalle.
Fig. 2. The front end of the rear springs on Cadillac
cars is carried on rubber bushings
Fig. 1. Cutaway view of rear spring, showing composition
liner and graphite bronze inserts, which provide
adequate lubrication
SHOCK
ABSORBERS
Both the Cadillac and LaSalle shock absorbers
are of the two-way or double-acting type. The
action of the Cadillac shock absorbers is also manually
controlled by a lever mounted on the instrument
panel, which, operating through a system of
rods and levers, regulates the spring pressure on
the control valves in the shock absorbers.
and the shock absorbers function in the regular
way.
When the car is traveling over rough roads, the
frame of the car moves down and the inertia valve
weight also moves down but as the frame moves
up on the rebound, the inertia weight, which is
supported on a coil spring does not move up as
fast as the frame, due to its inertia. This action
closes the inertia slide valve which makes the
rebound check valve inoperative and the compressed
oil in the cylinder under this condition
The degree of control is adjustable to different
positions. The design is such that the "Free"
position (control lever down) gives a soft boulevard
ride. The "Firm" position (control lever
up) gives the maximum control necessary at high
speeds on rolling, gravel roads.
The front shock absorbers are actually built
onto the frame as a structural part of the car. The
upper suspension arms are a part of the front shock
absorber assembly and are not supplied separately
from the shock absorbers.
The rear shock absorbers on Cadillac cars have
an additional inertia control feature which automatically
controls the rebound of the car at the
rear. When the car is traveling over smooth roads,
where there is very little movement to the frame
and body, the inertia valve weight does not move
Fig. 3. The rear shackles of the rear springs on Cadillac
cars have rubber bushings at the upper bolt and
a threaded metal bushing at the lower bolt.