Build your own slip plates for alignment?

Type2 · 10-05-2009, 09:22 PM

I did a few searches online and they are EXPENSIVE. I plan on doing my own alignment this weekend after I get my rear brakes/struts on and instead of using greased vinyl tiles, which will be messy and a pain to store, I'd like to possibly make my own. Has anyone done this? It doesnt look too terribly complex - Just two plates, ball bearings, grease, locking pin(s).

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Uncle Scotty · 10-05-2009, 09:23 PM

use old playboys

no...really

ProDarwin · 10-05-2009, 09:56 PM

5 or 6 plastic shopping bags under each wheel works fantastic.

Type2 · 10-05-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProDarwin

5 or 6 plastic shopping bags under each wheel works fantastic.

actually, that sounds much better than greased up vinyl tiles. I'll probably go that route.

GrundleJuice · 10-05-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProDarwin

5 or 6 plastic shopping bags under each wheel works fantastic.

works especially good on a hard smooth surface, not so good on asphalt. a couple drops of oil between the bags makes it super slippery.

kwak · 10-06-2009, 01:23 AM

I'm curious to hear how well the plastic bags work.

I have seen a race team use thick aluminum plates with grease smeared between the two. They now use slip plates from Harbor Freight. Those are relatively inexpensive. They are steel and very heavy to lug around.

renhoek · 10-06-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty

use old playboys

no...really

OK. But how do we make 'em slippery?

Uncle Scotty · 10-06-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renhoek

OK. But how do we make 'em slippery?

the glossy paper does the trick.....put the closed end towards the rear

Type2 · 10-06-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwak

I'm curious to hear how well the plastic bags work.

I have seen a race team use thick aluminum plates with grease smeared between the two. They now use slip plates from Harbor Freight. Those are relatively inexpensive. They are steel and very heavy to lug around.

How "inexpensive"? Can you post a link? Thanks.

wantsti · 10-06-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty

the glossy paper does the trick.....put the closed end towards the rear

what a waste of a playboy

joker75 · 10-06-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wantsti

what a waste of a playboy

+123456
There are so many other magazines that you could use. Why would you waste 4 good playboys for a wheel alignment.

Turn in Concepts · 10-06-2009, 10:04 AM

Two 12x12 plates of steel. Grease between them. Bam instant slip plate.

teslamaster · 10-06-2009, 12:52 PM

^^ this. It works very well. It's slick enough I can push the side of the car a little bit and it will slide sideways on the plates.

.one lane · 10-06-2009, 01:00 PM

I have used two pieces of title (smooth side facing each other) with salt between them. I had them in the garage, and it's decent.

kwak · 10-06-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Type2

How "inexpensive"? Can you post a link? Thanks.

I did a google search for you. The manual for them is: http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals...5999/45742.pdf

They are called Turn Plates, made by Central Machinery, model 45742. One forum said they were $149. I did not find them in the Harbor Freight catalog though.

SonicWRX · 10-06-2009, 02:21 PM

Here's a DIY link using greased tiles. Seems pretty easy...

Uncle Scotty · 10-06-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwak

I did a google search for you. The manual for them is: http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals...5999/45742.pdf

They are called Turn Plates, made by Central Machinery, model 45742. One forum said they were $149. I did not find them in the Harbor Freight catalog though.

discontinued by HF

ULL_WRX · 10-07-2009, 12:25 PM

Alum. tiles work well. I have tried them will oil, grease, trash bags, and wax paper between them and the paper and bags have worked the best and there's no mess.

SonicWRX · 10-07-2009, 12:59 PM

And where would one find aluminum tiles?

10-05-2009, 09:22 PM	#1
Type2 Scooby Specialist Member#: 200436 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lawrence, KS Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT Black	Build your own slip plates for alignment? I did a few searches online and they are EXPENSIVE. I plan on doing my own alignment this weekend after I get my rear brakes/struts on and instead of using greased vinyl tiles, which will be messy and a pain to store, I'd like to possibly make my own. Has anyone done this? It doesnt look too terribly complex - Just two plates, ball bearings, grease, locking pin(s). * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-05-2009, 09:23 PM	#2
Uncle Scotty * Banned * Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: OK buy Nates beans westcoastroasting.com	use old playboys no...really

10-05-2009, 09:56 PM	#3
ProDarwin Scooby Specialist Member#: 134943 Join Date: Dec 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Oakton Vehicle: 94 SW2, 95 SW2 9(?) Lemons Car	5 or 6 plastic shopping bags under each wheel works fantastic.

10-06-2009, 01:23 AM	#6
kwak Scooby Newbie Member#: 73476 Join Date: Oct 2004	I'm curious to hear how well the plastic bags work. I have seen a race team use thick aluminum plates with grease smeared between the two. They now use slip plates from Harbor Freight. Those are relatively inexpensive. They are steel and very heavy to lug around.

10-06-2009, 10:04 AM	#12
Turn in Concepts Former Vendor Member#: 93646 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Vehicle: Many Track Records Let us help you go fast!	Two 12x12 plates of steel. Grease between them. Bam instant slip plate.

10-06-2009, 12:52 PM	#13
teslamaster Scooby Newbie Member#: 152906 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: OH Vehicle: 2007 Impreza 2.5i SE Obsidian Black Pearl	^^ this. It works very well. It's slick enough I can push the side of the car a little bit and it will slide sideways on the plates.

10-06-2009, 01:00 PM	#14
.one lane Scooby Specialist Member#: 114528 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Outer space Vehicle: 2002 Space Shuttle Discovery	I have used two pieces of title (smooth side facing each other) with salt between them. I had them in the garage, and it's decent.

10-06-2009, 02:21 PM	#16
SonicWRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 24464 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Cincinnasti Vehicle: 2007 WRX STi (SWP) Surgeline Tuned	Here's a DIY link using greased tiles. Seems pretty easy...

10-07-2009, 12:25 PM	#18
ULL_WRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 201252 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Louisiana	Alum. tiles work well. I have tried them will oil, grease, trash bags, and wax paper between them and the paper and bags have worked the best and there's no mess.

10-07-2009, 12:59 PM	#19
SonicWRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 24464 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Cincinnasti Vehicle: 2007 WRX STi (SWP) Surgeline Tuned	And where would one find aluminum tiles?