The wheels comprise the most important part of an inline skate. Worn-down wheels can drastically reduce your effectiveness as a skater. To purchase new wheels, record the size of the original wheel, measured in millimeters or mm, and the durometer or hardness, of your wheel, a two-digit number followed by an A, such as 82A or 74A. Record both wheel sizes if you have hockey skates in a HiLo arrangement, meaning that your back wheels are larger than your front wheels. Buy a harder duromater if you think it will help your hockey game.
Step 1
Remove the screw at the center of the front wheel on one of your skates with an Allen wrench. Take the wheel off your skate chassis. Use the Allen wrench to pop the bearings, two metal pieces held in place by a plastic bearing spacer, out of the middle of the wheel. Carefully set the wheel and bearings in an old can or screw tray.
Step 2
Place one bearing and spacer in the middle of the new wheel. Apply the other bearing on the other side. Place the wheel in the vacant spot on the skate chassis. Screw the wheel in place with the Allen key. Spin the wheel to make sure it spins correctly; if it's too rigid, loosen the screw a little bit.
Step 3
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 with the other wheels Perform each wheel replacement one at a time to ensure that you don't misplace any of the pieces.
Tips and Warnings
- Clean the bearings with a rag before putting them in the new wheels. Rotate the wheels at the first sign of wear to help extend the life of the new wheels. To do this, swap the first and third wheels on the skates, then do the same with the second and fourth wheels. Position the wheels so that the worn edge faces the outside of the skate.
- Doublecheck that screws are securely fastened before skating on your new wheels. A wobbly wheel can potentially cause serious injury.
Things You'll Need
- Allen wrench
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