1935 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

8 Cadillac 355-D, 370-D and 452-D
og
Vent Plugt- '" Rear Propeller Shaft *^Cron>
Fig. 8. Rear propeller shaft and universal
Only slight changes have been made in the gear
ratios of the new models. The new gear ratios a/e
as follows:
Standard Optional
Car Model Gear Ratio Gear Ratio
( Series 10 and 20 4.60 to 1 4.36 to 1
" j Fleetwood 4.80 to 1 4.60 to 1
3 5
370-D 4.80 to 1 4.60 to 1
452-D 4.64 to 1 4.31 to!
As was previously mentioned, the Hotchkiss type
of drive is now employed.
With this drive, the
car is driven through the rear springs, rather than
through a torque tube as formerly.
The propeller shaft is also new.
It is made in
two sections, a rear section (Fig. 8), which is not
enclosed and a front section which is carried in a
housing attached to the rear of the transmission.
See Fig. 61.
Two new type universal joints
are used, one at either end of the rear propeller
shaft.
A cutaway view of the front universal
joint is shown in Fig. 9.
joints
These journals should be lubricated
every 6000 miles.
To lubricate
the joints it is necessary
to remove the screw plug in the
cross, and install a grease gun
fitting.
A grease gun fitting must
not be installed permanently as
it will affect the balance of the
joint.
To remove the' new type universal
joint it is necessary only
to remove the cap screws fastening the bearing
retainers or journal caps to the yokes.
If a joint
is removed and not to be dissassembled opposite
retainers should be tied or wired together to keep
them in place on the journals of the cross.
Disassembly of the joint after removal from
the yokes may be accomplished simply by pulling
the retainers off the cross journals and taking out
the roller bearings.
Before reassembling a joint, wash all parts
thoroughly in gasoline or kerosine and blow them
out with air to remove all traces of dirt and grit.
This is extremely important in order to insure
quietness and long life of the bearing surfaces.
When reinstalling a universal joint, either the
original retaining cap screws or screws secured
from the Factory Parts Division under Part No.
1405167 should be used. This is important, as
these screws are made of special material and heat
treated for this purpose.
The journals of the universal joints oscillate in
roller bearings instead of bushings as formerly.
Ordinary cap screws are not suitable for mounting
these new type universal joints. New locking
plates should also be used whenever the retaining
screws are reinstalled. Care should be exercised to
assemble the front universal joint on the rear
propeller shaft in the proper position. The arrow
on the splined sleeve of the universal joint should
be in line with the arrow on the propeller shaft.
Fig. 9- Cut away view of the front universal
showing the needle type roller bearings
joint
The remaining service operations on the rear
axle including adjustments for gear mesh are the
same as on the "C" series cars.