Master Wheel Alignment with Longacre Turn Plates 52-79800
Free-floating, low-profile design. Longacre's 52-79800 turn plates lock in precise wheel alignment with zero guesswork.
This site contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. All recommended products are thoroughly vetted.
The Longacre Turn Plates 52-79800 are premium aluminum alignment tools designed for racing and performance vehicles. Featuring a low-profile 1-inch tall design, they offer a 1,500 lbs capacity per scale. These free-floating plates read to 1/2 degree increments and can be zeroed with the car on them, ensuring precise caster and camber adjustments without suspension bind.
Achieving the perfect setup on your race car requires more than just a good eye and basic tools. Precision wheel alignment dictates how your vehicle handles corners, accelerates, and conserves tire life under extreme conditions.
Every fraction of a degree matters when you are chasing tenths of a second on the track. Automotive professionals understand that eliminating suspension bind during alignment adjustments is the secret to repeatable, accurate results.
This is exactly where the Longacre Turn Plates 52-79800 shine. Engineered by Longacre Racing Products, these high-quality aluminum turn plates provide the frictionless surface necessary to measure caster and camber accurately. When you adjust your suspension, the tires need to move freely. If they do not, the suspension binds, giving you false readings that ruin your setup.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the specific features of the 52-79800 model. We will discuss why their low-profile design and impressive scale pads' weight capacity make them an invaluable addition to any professional garage or serious hobbyist's shop. Whether you are dealing with stock vehicles or custom racing chassis, understanding how to maximize the utility of these turn plates will save you significant time and effort.
Longacre Turn Plates 52-79800
Turn Plate, Mechanical, Aluminum, -30 to +30 Degrees Range, Pair
Why Is Precise Wheel Alignment Crucial for Racing Vehicles?
When you place a car on the ground, the friction between the tire and the pavement holds the suspension in place. If you attempt to adjust the toe, camber, or caster without allowing the wheel to slip, the suspension linkages will twist and store energy. This bind reads as a false alignment angle. Once the car rolls forward, the suspension settles, and the alignment changes, rendering your hard work useless.
Longacre racing turn plates) Solve this problem. By providing a low-friction, free-floating surface, they allow the suspension to settle immediately as adjustments are made. This ensures the angles you read on your gauges are the actual angles the car will experience on the track. For a race car, this precision is the difference between winning and fighting a poorly handling machine.
What Are the Key Specifications of the Longacre 52 79800 Turn Plates?
The Longacre 52-79800 turn plates are packed with features designed to make wheel alignment as effortless and accurate as possible. Manufactured from premium aluminum, they are lightweight yet incredibly durable.
The low-profile design makes them exceptionally versatile. Because they are only 1 tall (1 inch), you can use them directly on the ground or place them on top of scale pads. Speaking of capacity, the Longacre 1500 lbs rating means each plate can handle heavy loads, accommodating a wide range of vehicles.
How Does the Free-Floating Design Improve Alignment Accuracy?
These plates are free-floating in two directions. This means the top surface can glide smoothly both laterally and longitudinally. When you turn the steering wheel to measure caster, or when you adjust control arms for camber, the tire moves without resistance.
This free movement eliminates bind, guaranteeing that your measurements are perfectly accurate. The plates can measure from -30 to +30 degrees, and the gauge reads to 1 2 (1/2) degree increments. Furthermore, the degrees can be zeroed with the car resting on the plates, which simplifies the entire setup process.
Why Is the Low-Profile 1-Inch Tall Design Beneficial?
A standard set of plates might be too bulky to integrate with other setup equipment. The Longacre aluminum turn plates feature a low-profile design that perfectly complements other Longacre racing products.
You can slide them onto your scale pads without drastically altering the vehicle's ride height or the geometry of your setup rack. This seamless integration saves time and reduces the effort required to configure your race car.
How Do Longacre Aluminum Turn Plates Compare to Alternative Alignment Tools at Regular Price?
When setting up a shop, you have many options for alignment tools. Basic grease plates or garbage bags are sometimes used by amateurs to simulate a low-friction surface. However, these methods lack the precise degree measurements and the true free-floating action required by professionals.
Choose the Longacre Turn Plates 52-79800 if durability, precise measurement, and bind-elimination matter more than absolute minimum upfront cost. The regular price of around $843 to $914 reflects the professional-grade aluminum construction and the precision engineering that goes into the free-floating bearings.
Other tools from Longacre, such as aluminum toe plates, toe plates with magnets, and the plates with magnets standard style, work wonderfully in conjunction with these turn plates. While toe plates give you the total toe measurement, the turn plates are essential for caster sweeps.
You might also pair these with a dual air fuel ratio gauge or an air fuel ratio gauge if you are doing a complete vehicle tune, or use longacre elite load sticks for suspension spring tuning.
How Can Professionals Effectively Use the Longacre 52-79800?
Using the Longacre 52-79800 plate pair effectively requires a systematic approach. Follow these steps to ensure you get the most out of this product.
- Prepare the vehicle and workspace: Ensure your shop floor is perfectly level. If you are using scales, place your wired scales from Longacre or wireless scales from Longacre (such as the Elite Pro Wireless Scales or Elite wired scales) on the ground.
- Position the turn plates: Place the plates directly on the ground or on top of your scale pads. If using a 15-inch-wide pad, ensure the turn plate is centered.
- Roll the car onto the plates: Carefully roll the race car onto the plates. Ensure the front wheels are centered on the rotating portion of the aluminum turn plates.
- Zero the plates: Once the vehicle is settled, pull the locking pins so the plates are free floating in two directions. You can easily zero the degree indicators with the car resting heavily on them.
- Perform your measurements: Attach your caster/camber gauge to the wheel. To measure caster, turn the steering wheel until the turn plate reads exactly 15 or 20 degrees, depending on your gauge's requirements. The plates' accuracy ensures you hit the exact angle effortlessly.
- Make adjustments: Adjust your suspension components. The dual movement of the plates will relieve any bind instantly.
- Lock and remove: Once the alignment is perfect, insert the locking pins to stabilize the plates before rolling the vehicle off.
You can easily order this item online. Check the quantity in stock to ensure they are available to ship to your location, whether you are in the US or Canada.
What Do Customers and Experts Say About These Alignment Tools?
Customer reviews for the Longacre 52-79800 highlight the massive time savings and reliable results. With a strong 4.7 out of 5 stars from global ratings, customers consistently praise the low profile and the ease with which the degrees can be zeroed.
One Amazon customer stated, "Easy to store when not in use. An invaluable tool when configuring the setup on the race car. Saves time and effort and achieves great results." Another reviewer noted that while they are a premium item, the investment is justified by the quality of the aluminum toe plates and turn plates.
Professionals running elite pro wireless or elite wired setups often rely on scales from longacre 1500 series alongside these plates to provide a complete, bind-free corner balancing and alignment service.
Elevate Your Alignment Precision Today
If you want to achieve the most accurate suspension setup possible, eliminating bind is non-negotiable. The Longacre Turn Plates 52-79800 provide the low-friction, precise measurement platform necessary for championship-winning alignments.
Their durable aluminum construction, impressive 1,500 lbs weight capacity per scale, and the ability to free-float in two directions make them an indispensable asset for any serious builder or racer.
Take the guesswork out of your next setup. Invest in the Longacre 52-79800 and experience the confidence that comes with knowing your alignment is flawlessly accurate. Place your order today to upgrade your garage's capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Longacre Turn Plates
What Is the Weight Capacity of the Longacre 52-79800 Turn Plates?
The scale pad's weight capacity for the Longacre 52-79800 is 1,500 lbs per individual plate. This makes them suitable for most race cars and standard passenger vehicles.
Can I Use These Turn Plates on Top of My Existing Scale Pads?
Yes. The low-profile design is exactly 1 tall, meaning you can safely place them on top of your scale pads without causing clearance issues or dangerous instability.
Do the Plates Measure in Full or Fractional Degrees?
The Longacre 52-79800 turn plates feature an indicator that reads to 1 2 (one-half) degree increments, allowing for highly precise caster sweeps and turning radius measurements.
Are the Plates Locked During Vehicle Loading?
Yes. The basic 2-pin design allows you to lock the plates solidly in place while driving or pushing the car onto them, ensuring safety. Once the car is loaded, you remove the pins to allow the free-floating action.
What Does “Free-Floating in Two Directions” Mean?
It means the top plate can slide side-to-side and front-to-back, in addition to rotating. This multi-directional movement eliminates suspension bind while you make camber and toe adjustments.
Can I Buy These Individually, or Do They Come as a Set?
While some retailers list the price individually, you will need a pair of plates to align the front end of a car. Always check the listing quantity and details to confirm if you are buying a single plate or a set.
How Do I Zero the Degree Gauge?
You can zero the degrees directly with the car resting on the plates. The outer degree ring is adjustable, making it easy to set your baseline to zero before beginning your caster sweep.
Our Final Thoughts
The Longacre Turn Plates 52-79800 are a must-have for precision alignment and accurate measurements. With a low-profile aluminum design, these plates offer a -30 to +30-degree range in 0.5-degree increments, ensuring unparalleled accuracy.
Their free-floating mechanism eliminates binding, making them perfect for use on scale pads or directly on the ground. Whether you're a professional or an enthusiast, these turn plates are built to deliver reliable performance every time.
Thank you for reading!
Your friend,
Todd
#PrecisionAlignment ⚙️ #LongacreTurnPlates 🏎️ #RacingTools 🛠️ #CarAlignment 🚗 #PerformanceTuning 🔧 #AutomotiveGear 🚘 #TrackReady 🏁 #CarEnthusiast ❤️🔥 #GarageEssentials 🏠 #BuiltForPerformance 💪
Todd Bandel
Todd Bandel
Todd Bandel
Todd Bandel