1935 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

Cadillac Preliminary Service Information
5
this new type of steering system, despite the use
of vGj||ijre&>cting fiont springs, the accuracy of
ste?H«gSne car, especially at high speeds is greater
than c*ri- possibly be obtained with the conventional
type of front axle.
The new front wheel suspension system should
be thoroughly studied in order that the principles
of construction and operation may be well understood.
This is necessary for intelligent and
efficient servicing of this new assembly.
Adjustments
Maintenance of correct front wheel alignment
is of special importance to service. f
The amount of caster in the new cars is 1 to 2°
with the weight of the car on the front wheels.
The caster may be checked in the same manner as
on previous model cars or with Tool No. J-631
using it against the pads on the front side of the
steering knuckle supports. See Fig. 2. No method
should be used, however, that will necessitate
raising the wheels off the floor.
Necessary corrections in caster may be made by
adjusting the threaded pin (Fig. 4), which connects
the shock, absorber arms to the upper end of
the steering-knuckle support. Turning this pin to
the right ar clockwise on the right side of the car
as viewed from the driver's seat moves the top of
the steering knuckle support toward the rear, increasing
the caster, and turning it oppositely moves
the top of the support toward the front, decreasing
the caster.
weight of the car on the front wheels. It may
be checked in the same manner as in previous cars
with the conventional type of front axle. As
formerly, no provision is made for changing the
amount of camber ocher than the replacement of
parts.
Toe-in of the front wheels should be IT to rs in.
Adjustment for toe-in is made in the same manner
as on previous Cadillac cars, simply by turning the
tie rods in or out of the tie rod ends. The tie rod
ends, however, are assembled with the right hand
threads at the left ends and the tie rods must be
turned in the opposite direction to previous
Cadillac practice to make the toe-in adjustment.
Turning the tie rods in the same direction as the
road wheels revolve decreases the toe-in and turning
them in the opposite direction increases the toein.
When making this adjustment, the rear end of
the intermediate steering arm must be exactly at
the center of the car. Both tie rods are then turned
. an equal amount to retain the same distance between
the rear end of the intermediate steering arm
and the front wheels. Do not adjust one tie rod
alone.
The tie rod and intermediate steering arm ends
are also new. See Fig. 5- They are, however,
similar in construction to those used in earlier
Cadillac cars, but differ in the method of adjustment.
Adjustment of these ends is made by screwing
the plug all the way in, using new Tool No.
J-630 and then backing it out }4 turn.
On the left side of the car, the
caster adjusting pin is installed
with the head toward the front.
Therefore, the left pin must be
turned to the left or counter
clockwise to increase the caster
and to the right to decrease the
caster. One complete turn of the
threaded pin changes the caster
one-half degree. After completing
the adjustment, the threaded
pins should be securely locked in
position. Precaution should be
taken to adjust both wheels to
have exactly the same amount of
caster.
Camber of the front wheels
should be % to 1½° with the
Threaded Pin for Casrei Adiuslmenl
Fig. 4. Front wheel suspension system viewed from above, showing
the shock absorber arms at the left and the lower suspension arm at
the right