How to Replace Skateboard Wheel Bearings With and Without a Bearing Press

In this Instructable, I'm going to demonstrate two methods to replace your skateboard wheel bearings. One method, which will most likely be completed by you at home, utilizes a specialized bearing press to remove and install wheel bearings. The other method, usually completed on the street or in a skatepark, will teach you how to replace your skateboard wheel bearings without requiring any specialized tools.

1.    Universal Skate Tool (or 1/2" wrench)

2.    Bearing Press (for Steps 3 and 7 only)

3.    Clean Rag

4.    Pocketknife

5.    Bearing Lubricant

6.    Replacement Bearings (if necessary)

*Not pictured: Soundtrack - "Chaise Lounge" by Wet Leg

To Prepare Your Work Area:

• Put away any tools or parts unnecessary for changing your bearings.
• Wipe down the work surface.
• If you're concerned your work area could get damaged by hard tools or scratchy griptape, put down a towel or drop cloth.

Note: A clean work area is a safe work area, so keeping it free of obstructions will make this job easy and keep you healthy.

To Remove Skateboard Wheel from Trucks:

• Hold skateboard firmly in place on it's side, axles pointing up.
• Place 1/2" socket of Universal Skate Tool over the hex nut securely.
• Turn Universal Skate Tool counter-clockwise until Hex Nut is loose enough to be removed by hand.
• Remove Hex Nut with fingers and set aside.
• Remove Wheel Washer (outer), Wheel, and Wheel Washer (inner) from axle.
• Set fasteners and wheel assembly aside for disassembly and cleaning.

To remove Wheel Bearings from Wheel:

• Locate bearing removal hook on Bearing Press.
• Place Wheel Assembly on bearing removal hook.
• Holding Wheel Assembly with free hand, press down on Bearing Press handle until Wheel Bearing is free of Wheel.
• Remove and set aside loose Wheel Bearing and Wheel Bearing Spacer.
• Flip Wheel over and repeat process.

To Remove Wheel Bearings without a Bearing Press:

• With skateboard on its side, axles pointing up, place Wheel about a third of the way onto the truck axle.
• Tilt wheel until resistance felt, then pry in the same direction until Wheel Bearing is free of Wheel.
• Remove loose Wheel Bearing and Wheel Bearing Spacer.
• Flip Wheel and repeat.
• Set aside loose Wheel Bearings and Wheel Bearing Spacer for disassembly and cleaning.

To Clean Skateboard Wheel Bearings:

• Inspect Wheel Bearing Shields for tears. If damaged or torn, replace.
• Determine bearing integrity by spinning Wheel Bearing held between forefinger and thumb. If resistance felt or grinding sound heard when spinning, replace.
• If Wheel Bearings are not damaged, use Clean Rag to remove dirt, oil, grime from outside.

To Lubricate Skateboard Wheel Bearings:

• With Wheel Bearing held firmly in place, slide tip of Pocketknife under rubber edge of Wheel Bearing Shield.
• Pry up gently, being careful not to cut rubber of Wheel Bearing Shield.
• Set aside Wheel Bearing Shield.
• Squeeze two or three drops of Lubricant onto ball bearings inside Wheel Bearing.
• Replace Wheel Bearing Shields.

To Install Wheel Bearings in Wheels with Press:

• Locate wheel alignment axle on Bearing Press.
• Slide wheel parts onto vertical wheel alignment axle in the following order; Wheel Bearing (inner), Wheel, Wheel Bearing Spacer, Wheel Bearing (outer).
• Rotate wheel alignment axle until horizontal.
• Close Bearing Press handle until Wheel Bearings seat fully in Wheel.
• Open Bearing Press handle.
• Remove Wheel Assembly.

To Install Wheel Bearings without Bearing Press:

• With skateboard on its side, axles pointing up, slide wheel parts onto axle in the following order: Wheel Bearing (inner), Wheel.
• Press down firmly with hand on Wheel, rotating to fully seat Wheel Bearing in Wheel.
• Remove Wheel and Wheel Bearing from axle.
• Slide remaining wheel parts onto axle in the following order: Wheel Bearing, Wheel Bearing Spacer, Wheel.
• Press down firmly with hand on Wheel, rotating to fully seat Wheel Bearing in Wheel.
• Remove Wheel assembly to verify Wheel Bearings fully seated in Wheel.

To Install Wheel Assembly on Trucks:

• Hold skateboard firmly in place on it's side, axles pointing up.
• Slide Wheel parts onto axle in the following order: Wheel Washer (inner), Wheel Assembly, Wheel Washer (Outer), Hex Nut (finger-tight).
• Place 1/2" socket of Universal Skate Tool over Hex Nut securely.
• Turn Universal Skate Tool clockwise until Hex Nut is tight.
• Spin Wheel. If Wheel won't spin freely or not at all, turn Hex Nut counter-clockwise until Wheel spins freely.