Skate bearings will wear down and erode over time, causing a rougher ride, less speed and horrible grinding sound as you skate. Changing your bearings is a simple process that takes less than half an hour and can be done almost anywhere.
Removing Your Old Bearings
Step 1
Using ratchet or pliers, remove the nut holding the wheel to the axle.
Step 2
Remove wheels from the axles by pulling them straight off.
Step 3
Use a bearing puller or reflex tool to pull the bearings out of the wheels. If a bearing puller or reflex tool is not available, you can use the axle of the skate to remove the bearings. To do this, slide the wheel onto the axle to the point where the wheel is slightly tilted and will stay without having to be held in place. Gently pry down on the wheel will loosen the bearing slightly. Use a circular motion to loosen the bearings all the way around the outside. The bearing should now be ready to easily pop out. To remove the front bearing, put the axle of the skate against the outside edge of the bearing with the remaining bearing side pointed away from the skate. Gently push the axle against the outside edge of the bearing. Your bearing should pop out easily.
Installing Your New Bearings
Step 1
Insert bearings into the back side of the wheels and use a reflex tool or bearing puller to push the bearing flush against the outer edge of the wheel. If a bearing puller or reflex tool is not available, you can alternately use the back end of a screwdriver to gently push in your bearings. Make sure to push against the outermost edge of your bearings, as pushing against the inside may damage them.
Step 2
Insert bearings into the front side of each wheel until they are flush using the same method as above.
Step 3
Put wheels onto the axles of the skate making sure to face your wheels in the correct direction. The deep well of the wheel will be facing outward. Wheels should not have any wobble at this point.
Step 4
Using ratchet or pliers, tighten the nuts onto the axles to tightly secure the wheels in place.
Step 5
Use lubricant to give the bearings a smooth lasting ride. Spray lubricant into the bearing housing on each bearing, inside and out of the wheel. Spin the wheels to help lubricant work into the bearing housing better.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure to lubricate your bearings. Lubricant elongates the life and performance of your bearings.
- Always apply pressure to the outer most edges of your bearing. Pressure on the inner edges of the bearing may cause damage to the bearings. Reflex tools and bearing pushers are the best tools for removing and replacing bearings. Using other tools incorrectly could cause damage to the bearings.
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