How to Tighten Skateboard Trucks

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Trucks are the metal axles in the front and back of your board that hold the wheels on. [1] They need to regularly be tightened, as they come loose over time. Properly tightened trucks make your board ride smoother and cleaner and helps tune the board to your turning style. They also give you more balance. If you use your board regularly, learning to tighten your own trucks are essential.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Fixing Loose Trucks

PDF download Download Article
  1. The amount the wheels tilt back and forth depends on how tight the trucks are. If you have a board (or a friend's board) that you like, test the tightness on them and try to replicate it in your own board. The amount they wobble right and left relates to how tight they are.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tighten Skateboard Trucks
    This single bolt controls the tightness of the trucks. It points directly to the ground when you're skating, and is found between the wheels. [2]
    • Turn it clockwise to tighten the trucks, getting tighter turning.
    • Turn it counter-clockwise to loosen the trucks, getting a softer turning feel.
    • Make sure you tighten the trucks in very small increments (perhaps a quarter of a turn at a time before checking the board again), because a little bit of turning can affect it a lot. [3]
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tighten Skateboard Trucks
    Don't just tighten the trucks and hit the skate park. After tightening, ride around a bit, trying a some turns, some ollies, and basic skating. Remember that there is no "right" tightness-- you need to find out what works for you.
  4. A hard day of riding will show you all the pros and cons of your new truck set-up. But that doesn't mean you need to be stuck with your set-up all day. A skate tool is small and easy to carry. Bring it along and make adjustments as needed. [4]
    • The nut that holds the trucks is called the kingpin. It has a strip of nylon on top called a locking nylon, which should always be at least flush. Otherwise, if the nut rises above the kingpin, the locking nylon won't be attached and the trucks will eventually loosen and fall apart while you're riding. [5]
  5. At the end of the day, there is no "perfect" amount to tighten your trucks. The tighter you turn the trucks, the more difficult the board is to turn. Too loose and you won't feel like you're stable, and your turns will be wide and difficult to control.The spot right in the middle of these extremes, your perfect tightness, is based on your own style and preference. Luckily, there is a large range of rideable tightness -- this isn't rocket science!
    • Generally, tighter pins provide more resistance on turns, key for high-speed skating.
    • Looser pins have a more forgiving feel on turns and landings. [6]
    • If your trucks are looser, you can turn simply by leaning on your toes or heels. [7]
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Further Adjusting Your Trucks

PDF download Download Article
  1. The bushings can be tightly packed or loosely packed, with the former decreasing turning and the later increasing it. When tightening your trucks, you are actually compressing the bushings, so you can get similar results by changing the bushings altogether. [8]
    • While not difficult, many skaters have this done at a local skate shop for the convenience.
  2. Not all trucks are created equally, and each company has different specs and styles. A lot of it comes down to testing different boards out and finding out what you want, but there are some things to consider for all trucks:
    • High or Low Kingpin: Higher pins are best for grinds, manuals, and other tricks. A lowered kingpin is best for popping ollies and kickflips.
    • Wider Wheels: Most wheels are standard, but heavier riders might want wider trucks, as they distribute the added weight better for smoother control. [9]
  3. Risers are attached between your trucks and your board, providing lift for tricks. Furthermore, risers you will dampen landing vibrations, though the higher board will take some getting used.
    • Higher trucks can make it harder, however, to grind. [10]
    4. Advertisement

Video

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can you tighten skateboard trucks?
    Jon Depoian
    Skateboarding Instructor
    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.
    Jon Depoian
    Skateboarding Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Yes. You'll need either an escape tool or a half-inch wrench. Also, make sure that you do so in small increments, so that you can keep adjusting the tightness exactly to your preference.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 17
  • Question
    How does it affect the stability?
    Community Answer
    Tighter trucks reduce the shakiness and instability of a board, which is ideal for new riders because it makes the board easier to stand and balance on. However, tightening your trucks is optional and many riders prefer looser trucks since they allow you to maintain a cleaner style.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 51
  • Question
    Do I need to adjust both truck king pins or just the front truck king pin?
    Community Answer
    You would need to adjust both sides, front and back, since it doesn't make sense for you to be able to ride with only one part adjusted.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 24
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Don't tighten it too much or they can get damaged. Tighten a half or quarter turn, test, then adjust again.
        Thanks
        Helpful 7 Not Helpful 2
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Skate tool
      • Skateboard

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Balance Yourself on a Skateboard
      How to
      Ollie
      How to
      Hang a Skateboard on a Wall
      How to
      Ride a Ripstick
      How to
      Paint Your Skateboard
      How to
      Make a Skateboard
      How to
      Get the Bearings out of Skateboard Wheels
      How to
      Build a Longboard
      How to
      Replace Skateboard Bearings
      How to
      Change Skateboard Wheels at Home (Plus, What Tools to Use and How Often to Change Them)
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ Jon Depoian. Skateboarding Instructor. Expert Interview. 5 June 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.skateboardershq.com/ultimate-skateboard-bushings-buyers-guide/
      3. ↑ Jon Depoian. Skateboarding Instructor. Expert Interview. 5 June 2020.
      4. ↑ http://www.tactics.com/info/assembling-a-skateboard
      5. ↑ Jon Depoian. Skateboarding Instructor. Expert Interview. 5 June 2020.
      6. ↑ http://www.tactics.com/info/choosing-skateboard-trucks
      7. ↑ Jon Depoian. Skateboarding Instructor. Expert Interview. 5 June 2020.
      8. ↑ https://www.skateboardershq.com/ultimate-skateboard-bushings-buyers-guide/
      9. ↑ http://www.tactics.com/info/choosing-skateboard-trucks
      1. ↑ http://www.tactics.com/info/choosing-skateboard-trucks

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To tighten your skateboard trucks, start by flipping your board upside down and finding the big nut in the middle of the truck. Then, decide how tight you want your trucks, keeping in mind that tighter is better for high-speed skating, but means more resistance on turns. Next, use a skate tool or wrench to turn the nut clockwise until the trucks are as tight as you'd like. Once you’ve made the adjustment, noodle around on your board to figure out if you’ve hit your sweet spot or need to make additional adjustments. For tips on how to make adjustments to your board’s trucks by adding risers or repacking the bushings, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 298,402 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Kristen A.

        Aug 23, 2018

        "I really wanted to do an ollie on a skateboard, but when I land, my skateboard is wobbly and hard to stand on. I ..." more
        Rated this article:
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement