This article was co-authored by Jon Depoian
. Jon Depoian is a Skateboarding Instructor and the Owner of Intro2Skateboarding, an organization based in Orange County, California that provides professional private, home-school, after-school, birthday party, and summer camp skateboard lessons for beginners and experienced skateboarders alike. Jon has over 21 years of skateboarding experience and over 10 years of skateboard instruction experience. He also has extensive experience producing street skateboarding videos and skating competitions.
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Sometimes, skateboard bearings need more than cleaning. Bearings can get rusted or pitted beyond repair, and when that happens there’s no real solution beyond replacing them. Luckily, replacing your bearings is one of the easier (and more satisfying) skateboard projects. In this article, we’ll break down everything you’ll need to do in order to install some fresh bearings so you can get back on the board.
Steps
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Remove the wheels with a ratchet or skate tool. Put the two washers and nut from the wheel in a bag or other small container so you do not lose them. [1] X Research source
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Place the bearing on the edge of the axle of the truck. [2] X Research source
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Continue to slowly apply pressure until it pops off. If you're going to throw the bearings away anyway, you don't need to be too delicate with them, but try not to damage the wheel in the process. [3] X Research source
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Drop the new bearings into the hole in the wheel or truck. Go for whatever makes this easier for you when it comes to attaching the bearings. [4] X Research source
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Put the bearing spacer inside the wheel on the other side. [5] X Research source
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat tool do I use to pry the bearings out?Community AnswerPut the wheel on the truck axle, and pull the wheel at an angle until the bearing comes out.Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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QuestionDo I need to have a spacer in-between the bearings?Community AnswerSome wheels have a molded integrated spacer, some require a separate piece.Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
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Tips
- Work slowly to avoid damaging the parts of your skateboard that you're not replacing.Thanks
- Clean your bearing using bones cleaning solution or other solvents (avoid water based) to avoid rusted bearings.Thanks
- Lubricate your bearing every so often with bones speed cream or other alternatives to prevent damage from friction.Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Bearings
- Ratchet/skate tool
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