How To Clean Skateboard Bearings

I'm going to show a way to clean your skateboard bearings - it's a bit complicated and a long way but it is far better for your bearings than a simple way ( Also, it will cost you little ) .

You should clean your skateboard bearings if your bearings have slowed down, seem kinda mucky, or if they make a gravely, junky sound when you spin your wheels. To avoid getting to that point, you should really clean your bearings fairly often, even when they are only a little dirty, or just haven't been cleaned in a long time. Cleaning your skateboard bearings like this from time to time will increase your bearing's lifespan, and improve your skateboarding experience.

First, you'll want to remove your skateboard bearings. You can clean your bearings without removing them, but you won't get them very clean that way. To clean your skateboard bearings well they need to have been removed from your skateboard wheels. Not sure how to do that? Pause for a second and read How To Remove Your Skateboard Bearings It's quick and easy.

Now, if you know the process of removing a bearing already then you can proceed reading ...

Best Method To Clean Your Bearings

The best method to clean your skateboard bearings, is to give some love to your bearings. What you will need is Kerosene or Mineral Spirits, 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and some good quality skateboard bearing lubricants .

The first step is to wash your bearings with the Kerosene or Mineral Spirits. Your bearings likely have a rubber shield that you will need to pop out with a small pin - but be careful not to force anything, or damage the bearings. For the wash, you want to soak your bearings in the Kerosene or Mineral Spirits. Gently swish the solution around to get some movement inside the jar or can that you are using to soak the skateboard bearings.

Then remove the bearings, and rinse them off with the 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. If you used a skateboard bearing cleaner, then you don't need to rinse with the alcohol (unless the instructions on the cleaner say to - read the instructions!).

After rinsing them off, dry your skateboard bearings quickly! A can of compressed air is perfect for this.

Now, lubricate your bearings! The lubricant you bought should have instructions for how much to use, but just a little should be fine.

Some skaters say it's best to ride your skateboard bearings without lubricant, in order to go faster. This is a terrible idea. The lubricant helps keep the bearings spinning freely, and helps to keep there from being any freezing up, not to mention lessening wear and tear and friction. Without lubricant, one of your bearings might just stop spinning ... which means that you would eat pavement. Use lubricant in your skateboard bearings.

Replace the shields you removed.

You're done! Now, put those bearings back in your wheels - and enjoy your slick, clean ride!

Note : If you're looking to Buy / Replace skateboard bearings, then I would recommend BearingsDirect.Com bcoz these guys are very prompt and also they got a large inventory stock where you can find any sizes of bearing you want .. I also do follow their online bearing catalog wherever I get confused about the bearing sizes, also they help every time I have any queries .. Appreciate their services ..

Interesting Facts : Blair Watson of Speed-Dealer Distribution says, "Rockin’ Ron, who makes Rocket Bearings, is an Aerospace Bearing Engineer of 24-years (Boeing, NASA etc.) and a skater of over 30 years—his are the only bearings designed by a skater, ever. His lube is hands down the best on the market. I’ve toured his facility, it’s amazing."

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings

Replacing your skateboard bearings, installing new skateboard bearings, and putting your cleaned skateboard bearings back on can be quick and easy, once you know the tricks. Read though these simple step by step instructions to find out how.

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings - Installing

First, simply place the new or cleaned bearing into the wheel. Most skateboard bearings have one side with a colored shield. I recommend placing this side facing out. However, you don't need to do it this way.

Either way, the bearing won't fit all the way into the wheel - the fit will be too tight. So first, simply set the bearing into the wheel.

Next, press the bearing down into the hole, applying pressure on the outside metal rim of the bearing. DO NOT press on the shield, or the center of the bearing. You should be able to press the bearing down to where it is flat with the edge of the wheel.

Repeat this process with all 8 bearings, putting one on each side of each wheel. I recommend having the shielded side of the bearing facing out on each. If you are using Spacers, make sure to put one in each wheel, between the bearings. If you are worrying about the bearing size then here is the online bearing catalog for you.

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings - Washers

Just like the optional spacers, some skateboarders like to use bearing washers to help reduce friction and let your wheels spin faster. If you don't use washers, then skip ahead to step 3.

The washers are very small metal rings that fit on either side of your bearings. Put one on your axle trucks before you put the wheel on, and then one on after the wheel has been slid into place.

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings - Wheels in Place

With all the bearings set into the wheels, put your wheels on your trucks. It doesn't matter if you have the graphic side of your wheels facing out or not - that's up to you.

Next, fit a nylon inserted ½" lock nut on the end of your trucks. These nuts usually come with your trucks, but if not, head to a hardware store and get a set of 4. Each wheel should be set up as seen in the photo. Don't worry about tightening each nut right yet.

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings - Tighten Softly

Using your skate tool or a socket wrench, tighten each nut down slowly. This will push the bearings down into the wheels. Make sure you take your time and don't crank too hard or fast on the nuts, or you can damage your bearings. Tighten each nut down until it feels snug, and then STOP. Don't crank on the nuts too hard - you want the nuts to fit on snuggly, and to be done turning. That's it.

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings - Loosen to Jiggly

Now here's the secret. Once the nut has been tightened up, and the bearings are all sunk into place, you want to loosen the nut a little. Loosen it, and then jiggle the wheel a little, back and forth on the trucks. You want a small amount of play, just enough so you can feel it. When you pull the wheel from side to side, you want it to make a little clack sound, just a little. This will help your wheels to spin faster and more freely.

And with that, you are done! You have successfully replaced and installed new skateboard bearings!
Now, the very first thing what you have to do is purchasing a high performance skateboard bearing from Skateboard Bearings store by verifying the sizes you want and you are on.
Given link is the standard size 608-ZZ ABEC3 Bearing 8x22x7 Skateboard Bearing that works in most of the Skateboards & Long board.

Note : I recommend BearingsDirect bcoz these guys are very prompt and also am one of their customer .. I also do follow their online bearing catalog wherever I get confused about the bearing sizes, also they help every time I have any queries .. Appreciate their services ..

Leave your feed backs .. Thanks for the read