1935 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

149
SPRINGS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS
the level of the fluid in the shock absorbers.
Insufficient fluid can be corrected by careful
bleeding and refilling as previously described.
Only after it is known that all shock absorbers
contain the proper amount of fluid should any
other tests be made to determine the cause of
unsatisfactory riding qualities.
Dirt in the shock absorber fluid may cause
unsatisfactory operation by causing the valves to
stick. In such cases the difficulty can usually
be recognized by moving the shock absorber arm
up and down. The presence of dirt on the valves
will be indicated by the lack of resistance in one
or both directions. In case dirt is present, the
shock absorber should be removed, thoroughly
cleaned and blown out with air, and refilled with
clean shock absorber fluid.
2. Adjustment of Cadillac Ride Regulator
Connections
The greater softness of the front springs made
possible by the front wheel suspension system
has made variations in the ride regulator setting
on the Cadillac models more readily apparent
than on previous model cars. For this reason,
accuracy is required in making the ride regulator
adjustments to give the maximum advantages of
the new type springing.
The correct procedure for adjusting the ride
regulator control on the "D" series cars differs
somewhat from that employed on previous models
and deserves close attention.
It is important that all four shock absorbers
be in the same position of control at the same
time, and operate simultaneously throughout the
full range of the hand control on the steering
column.
The ride regulator connections are correctly
adjusted if the control valve at each shock absorber
is in the fully closed position when the regulator
handle is in the "firm" position, which is all the
way up. To secure this adjustment, proceed as
follows :
1. Put ride regulator handle at steering column
in the "firm" position, which is all the way up.
2. Disconnect the rod from the control lever at
each of the four shock absorbers.
3. Turn each control lever to the fully closed or
compressed position. In this position, it should
be at an angle of 45 degrees to the center line of
the car.
4. If any of the control levers are not in the
correct position, they should be readjusted on the
control shaft, by loosening the locking screws
and turning them to the correct position.
5. Adjust the yokes on the rods at the right
front and right rear shock absorbers so that the
control levers are in the fully closed position at
the same time, with all slack in the rods taken up.
6. Move the regulator handle up and down two
or three times, returning it to the "firm" position.
Then check both right-hand control levers to see
that they are still in the fully closed position. If
not, shorten one or both rods still further.
7. Shorten or lengthen the yoke at the left rear
shock absorber so that the control lever is in the
fully closed position. Again move the regulator
handle and again check both rear control levers.
If the left rear control lever closes before the right,
lengthen the left-hand rod rather than shorten
the right-hand rod to obtain proper synchronization.
8. Adjust the yoke at the left front shock
absorber so that the control lever is in the fully
closed position. Again move the regulator handle
and again check both left-hand levers,
9. Make sure that the screws holding the shock
absorbers to the frame are tight and that the
pivots at the lower ends of the rear shock absorber
links are also tight. In order to tighten the shock
absorber link pivots properly, the stabilizer links
should be temporarily disconnected.
This procedure coordinates the control levers
so that the lever on each shock absorber is fullyclosed
w-hen the hand control on the steering
column is all the way up in the "firm" position.
With all four shock absorbers in the "firm" position
at the same time, they will operate simultaneously
throughout the full range of control.
It is important that the above order be followed
exactly as given, beginning with the yoke adjustment
on the right-hand side of the car. Note that
after the two right-hand shock absorbers are
adjusted, the left rear shock absorber is adjusted
to correspond with the right rear, and the left
front is then adjusted to correspond with the left
rear. Thus, after the two right-hand shock
absorbers are adjusted, the remaining shock
absorbers are synchronized individually in order
with those already synchronized.
Satisfactory shock absorber operation depends
largely on tight connections, and on this account
all of the shock absorber connections should be
tightened whenever any work is done on them.
It is particularly important that the shock
absorbers themselves be thoroughly tightened to
the frame.
3. Removal and Installation of Rear Springs
The removal of the rear springs differs somewhat
from that in previous Cadillac and LaSalle
cars. To remove a rear spring on Cadillac cars, it
is necessary first to disconnect the spring from the
rear axle and the rear spring shackle and to remove
the nut on the front spring bolt. Then, with the
rear end of the spring dropped down, it can be
tipped slightly and removed from the front spring
bolt. On LaSalle cars it is necessary to remove the
front spring bracket in order to remove the spring