How to Change Rollerblade Bearings

The bearings of your rollerblades are critical to the skates' functioning. After time, bearings inevitably need to be cleaned or replaced with a new set. Follow these steps to change your inline skate bearings.

Things You'll Need

• K-Tool
• Bearing removal tool
• Paper towels
• New rollerblade bearings

Instructions

1. Get the necessary tools and parts together on a clean surface.

2. Remove all the wheels from each skate. Your K-Tool will be able to do this quickly. Set each wheel down on its side and spaced apart from the others so you can keep track of the parts which belong to each wheel.

3. Hold the first wheel in one hand. With the other hand, place the bearing removal tool against the exposed side of the bearing and apply a steady pressure to it with your thumb. The bearing should pop out of the wheel once you've applied enough pressure. Repeat this for all the wheels.

4. Clean the center of the wheels with your K-Tool and a bit of paper towel. You can twist the paper towel into a point and feed it through the wheel's hole to rub dirt from the wheel. Use your K-Tool to scrape off crusted dirt from the wheels.

5. Replace the bearings by holding the bearing to the wheel. Place the bearing removal tool against the bearing and apply pressure with your thumb until it pops into place in the center of the wheel. Pinch the bearing between your thumb and forefinger and spin the wheel around it to test if the bearing is properly in place.