How to Tighten Roller Skate Trucks

The truck of a roller skate is the piece of metal that the wheel axle passes through. You can tighten or loosen the trucks tension nut to vary the amount of control you want in your pair of skates.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Socket wrench set

1. Flip the first skate over, wheel side up. Locate the two external tension nuts at both of the wheel axles.

2. Attach the correct socket wrench (usually 11/16 inch) to the ratchet body of your wrench.

3. Fit the wrench on to the bolt and move the handle right and then left, until the nut reaches the appropriate tightness.

4. Feel the nut with your fingers to test the tightness. Loosen or tighten as needed. A medium tightness is recommended.

5. Repeat on the final three nuts.

6. Put on your skates and have fun!

Tips & Warnings

• Trucks that are too tight can injure your ankle by limiting mobility. Make sure to test out the skates before skating too far.

[ddean1968]

on 3/11/2009 This information is incorrect, or at the very least severely lacking some steps depending on your truck type. As the above poster mentioned do not follow these instructions. Follow this link for a VERY detailed explanation.http://www.quadskating.com/skates/roller-skate-trucks.htm

[dabraunbird]

on 12/1/2008 wow - this is wrong and following these instructions can damage your skates!
There are a couple of different designs for the support of roller skate trucks. One of the more common designs have a lock nut at the plate end of the king pin (the bolt that holds the truck to the plate and goes through the center of the truck cushions). You must loosen this nut BEFORE attempting to turn the kingpin bolts. Not doing so can strip the threads out of the plate. You must also retighten this nut after adjusting the kingpin to keep the truck from falling off.
This article only applies to a particular truck suspension design and should so state!

A few pictures would also help this article tremendously.