How to Get Bearings out of Skateboard Wheels

Once you have started skateboarding, you will likely need to remove bearings from the skateboard wheels after some periods. This could be because you want to clean, realign or replace the bearings or you just need to perform some basic maintenance tasks.

Luckily, the process involved in how to get bearings out of skate wheels is quite straightforward. All you have to do is to follow the instructions below:

  • Get the needed tools

You cannot remove your skateboard bearings with only your hands. So, the first thing you must do is to get the right tools. Basically, a skate tool will have everything you need to remove the bearings. However, if you don’t have it, you can get a set of wrenches and screwdrivers.

  • Remove the skateboard wheels

You cannot gain access to the bearings without removing the wheels. So, you should get a 1/2″ socket wrench and use it to remove the nut that holds the wheel to the axle of the skateboard. Alternatively, you can use a skate tool to remove the wheels.

You should note that some skateboards feature special bearing shields. In this case, you need to remove the bearing shields before you can access the bearings. If your wheels have some spacers, you must store them in a safe place where you can get them when reinserting the wheels.

However, if the skateboard comes with a bearing puller, you should use it to extract the bearings.

Also, make sure you don’t lose any of the washers between the axle and the wheel. Losing the washers will lead to different problems for your skateboard. So, you are advised to keep the washers and nuts in a safe place.

  • Put the wheel on the truck axle

The next step is to put the wheel on the axle of the skateboard truck. However, this should not go in too much. Just make sure that only the tip of the axle goes into the bearings. Ensure the axle doesn’t touch the wheel.

  • Pry the wheel slowly

You should pry the wheel. This should be done gently and slowly at a downward angle so that the wheel is unaffected as the bearing is removed. After a while, the bearing will fall out of the wheel. Depending on the tightness of the bearing, this process may take some period. However, you must continue prying slowly and gently. Going too hard on the bearing may damage it.

Nonetheless, if you want to replace the old bearing of your skateboard with a new one, you can pry it as hard and quickly as you like. This will ensure that the bearing pops out of the skateboard’s wheel fast.

At the end of this process, the bearing of your skateboard will pop out of the wheel.

NB: If you are removing the bearing with a puller, put its tip into the bearing. This will allow it to hook the edge of the bearing so that it will be easy for you to remove the bearing.

  • Repeat the process for the second bearing

Once you are done with the first bearing, you need to pull out the other bearing on your skateboard. Before removing the second bearing, you should first flip the wheel over and put the axle rod’s tip into the other bearing. Then, follow the process above to remove the second bearing.

If you have any difficulty with how to get bearings out of your skateboard wheels yourself, don’t hesitate to visit a skateboarding shop near you. Many skateboarding shops offer free services to skateboarders that want to remove bearings. Even if you are charged, it will be relatively affordable.

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