General Description; Service Information; Lubrication - Cadillac 1937 LaSalle VVI Information

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R E A R W H E E L SUSPENSION
General Description
Three different type rear axles are used on the
37-series C a d i l l a c and LaSalle cars. Series 37-50
and 60 cars have a h y p o i d axle as shown in Plate
19, Figs. 1 and 2. Series 37-65, 70, 75, and 85 cars
have a semi-floating spiral bevel axle as shown
in F i g . 3. Series 37-90 cars have a spiral bevel
axle, of similar design to that of series 37-85,
except that the ^ - f l o a t i n g construction is used.
T h e rear axle housings of a l l 37-series axles are
of the banjo type, and designed for underslung
semi-elliptical rear springs. T h e axle shafts on
all 37-series cars are keyed to the d r i v i n g hub on
which the wheels are mounted. Permanently
lubricated and sealed annular type ball bearings
are used at the rear wheels.
T h e cylindrical type differential housing is used
on all 37-series cars, except the V - 1 6 w h i c h has
the external bearing type differential housing.
Tapered roller bearings are used on a l l 37-series
differential carriers. Special a l u m i n u m bronze
thrust washers are used to reduce wear between
the pinion gears and the housing.
T h e axle shaft oil seals on the h y p o i d axles are
located at the outer end of the axle tubes. O n
the spiral bevel axles, they are located at the
inner end.
T w o needle-bearing universal joints and a tubular
propeller shaft are used on a l l 37-series cars. O n
series 37-50, 60, 65, 70, 75 and 85 cars, the splined
portion of the propeller shaft is constructed b y
cutting splines on the inside of a tube that is
pressed and welded into a second tube as illus-
trated in Plate 20, F i g . 5. L u b r i c a t i o n of the
splines is provided for b y a lubrication fitting in
the propeller shaft at the slip joint.
On series 37-90 cars, the spline shaft is on the
end of the propeller shaft instead of the universal
j o i n t coupling. O n these cars, lubrication is pro-
vided for b y screw plugs at both the spline shaft
and the universal joint cross.
Semi-elliptical rear springs of two types are
used on the 37-series cars. Series 37-50 and 60
cars have rear springs in which the leaves are
separated b y waxed liners as shown in Plate 20,
F i g . 9. These springs do not require any l u b r i -
cation in service, nor do they require spring covers
as used on the other models. Series 37-65, 70, 75,
85 and 90 cars use the conventional type springs
fitted w i t h spring covers as shown in Plate 20,
F i g . 10.
The spring bolt at the front end of the rear
springs of series 37-50 and 60 cars is threaded to
fit the threaded metal bushing used. T h e spring
bolt at the front end of the rear springs on series
37-65, 70, 75, 85 and 90 cars is mounted in rubber
bushings. Threaded shackle pins w i t h metal
bushings are used at both top and bottom of the
rear spring shackles on all models except the 37-90
which has threaded metal pins and bushings at
the bottom and rubber bushings at the top.
T h e shock absorbers on a l l 37-series cars, both
front and rear, are of the double-acting hydraulic
type. One and one-half inch end-to-end discharge
shock absorbers are used on series 37-50 and 60
cars. One and three-quarter inch shock absorbers
of the same design are used on the remaining
models. T h e rear shock absorbers of series 37-65,
70, 75, 85 and 90 cars are equipped w i t h a dash-
pot controlled inertia mechanism to provide
variable shock absorber action according to the
requirements for different kinds of service. In
addition, the 37-90 cars have manual control of
all four shock absorbers through a " R i d e R e g u -
lator" handle under the dash.
•Two different type rear stabilizer bars are used
on the 37-series cars. Series 37-50 and 60 cars
have a cross-link type stabilizer. T h e remain-
ing models have stabilizers w i t h links connecting
them to stabilizer brackets on the axle housing,
as shown in Plate 21, F i g . 14.
Service Information
1. L u b r i c a t i o n
T h e use of proper lubricant i n the rear axles of
all 37-series cars is an important consideration
w i t h which every service m a n should be familiar.
Only, Cadillac-approved H y p o i d Differential
L u b r i c a n t should be used.
T h e lubricant level should be inspected and
fresh lubricant added, if necessary, every 1,000
miles. T h e lubricant should be drained, and the
differential case thoroughly flushed, and refilled
with fresh h y p o i d lubricant every 6000 miles.