How to Lubricate Inline Skate Wheel Bearings
Keeping your inline skate wheel bearings lubricated is an essential aspect of preventive maintenance if you want to stay safe and save yourself the trouble of buying new ones in the near future. Bearings are small, circular metal or ceramic components that fit snugly in the center of wheels, allowing them to spin smoothly and for longer periods of time. The different grades of bearings are rated for the amount of friction they produce. The less friction, the faster and smoother the wheels are able to spin. By lubricating your inline skate wheel bearings routinely, you reduce the risk of lockups and irreversible damage caused from too much friction over time.
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Things You'll Need
- Adjustable wrench
- Allen wrench or screwdriver
- Bearing lubricant
- Bearing cleaner (oil-based preferred)
- Clean dry cloth
Instructions
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1
Remove the wheels from each inline skate. Unscrew the nut and bolt that runs through the center of each wheel. Use an adjustable wrench for the nut and an Allen wrench or screwdriver for the bolt. Carefully place all of the nuts, bolts and spacers in a pile off to the side.
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2
Pop or pry the bearings out carefully using an Allen wrench or screwdriver and inspect them for dirt and grime buildup. Use an oil-based cleaning solution and a cloth, if necessary. If using a water-based cleaning solution, dry the bearings off thoroughly with a clean towel and proceed to the next step immediately.
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3
Apply one or two drops of lubricant to the surface of each bearing, one at a time. Pinch the center of the bearings with your thumb and middle finger after every application and spin the wheel for about five to 10 seconds to allow all of the lubricant to work its way into the nooks and crannies of the bearing. Repeat this process on both sides of each wheel if there are two bearings per wheel.
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4
Reassemble the wheels back onto the inline skates. Slide one up inside the bottom rack and align the center of the wheel with the hole where the bolt goes through. Pop the bolt through the hole and through the wheel, attach the nut on the other side, and tighten using an adjustable wrench and an Allen wrench or screwdriver. If the inline skates had spacers, make sure to put them back into place where they belong; in most cases one spacer is placed on either side of the wheel before the bolt is popped through. Repeat this process for each wheel.
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Tips & Warnings
If your fingers are too big to hold the bearing in Step 3, hold a bolt through the center to emulate an axle and allow the wheel spin on it.
If you use a water-based bearing cleaner, it's important that you dry it off and apply lubricant immediately to prevent rust.
References
- Photo Credit inline skate. image by Saskia Massink from Fotolia.com
