How to Install Bearings in Skateboard Wheels

Skateboard performance can be increased by upgrading the wheel bearings. When they are worn by dust or water, it slows down your board. Test the bearing condition by holding the board off the ground and spinning the wheels. If they spin freely for a few seconds, your bearings are doing their job. If the wheel stops almost immediately, it’s time to replace the bearings. Whether you want to improve performance, or reclaim it. Here’s an easy way to install bearings in skateboard wheels.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A ½ inch wrench or socket wrench
• New 608 bearings

1. Choose a new set of bearings. Each wheel has two 608 size bearing rings in the center, so you’ll need eight for the whole board. The bearings are protected by shields or caps, or both, so they look like disks with holes in the middle. The precision used to manufacture circular, or annular, bearings is classed by the Annular Bearing Engineering Committee. They use a rating from one to nine. An ABEC 9 rating has the highest precision, yielding the best performance for the biggest price. Bearings without an ABEC rating are not made with a high degree of precision.

2. Remove the old bearings. Loosen the lock nuts with a ½ inch socket wrench and remove the wheels. If there are bearing washers around the inside circle, slip these off and keep them handy. You’ll find them on both sides of the wheel. There may be a snap ring around the outer bearing circle, holding it on the wheel. To remove this, use a small flathead screwdriver to catch the inner point of the snap ring and apply force toward the center. Now slip the wheel back on the truck axle, just enough for the threads to grab the inside of the bearing on that side. Slowly pull the wheel down at an angel and let the axle take the bearing out. Note: this can damage the old bearings. Do this procedure gently if you plan to keep the bearings and maintain them.

3. Install the new bearings. Place the new bearing ring in the center of the wheel with the colored shield facing out. With your fingers under the wheel, press your thumbs against the outer ring of the bearing. Do not put pressure on the shield or the center rim of the bearing ring. Press the bearing into the wheel until it’s level with the outer surface. Repeat the process for the other side of the wheel. Do the same for all wheels you’re replacing bearings on. Replace any snap rings that were included.

4. Put the wheels back on. If the wheels came with bearing washers, put one on the axle of the truck before putting the wheel on. After the wheel, put the other bearing washer on the axle. Replace the lock nut with slow turns of the wrench. Apply just enough pressure to make the nut snug.

Tips & Warnings

• To further improve performance, loosen the lock nuts just enough to allow slight movement of the wheels on the axles. A small amount of play will allow your wheels to spin more freely. Now you’re ready to rock and roll.

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