An important, yet often overlooked, part of proper skate maintenance is the replacement of old, worn bearings. If your skate wheels are grinding, slow to spin, wobbling or simply do not spin at all, bearing replacement is the logical first step toward getting them back into proper working condition. Fortunately, you can complete this task simply.
Step 1
Remove the wheel from the axle by using the proper sized Allen wrench. You may need to place the skate between your knees to stabilize it while you use the wrench.
Step 2
Take the old bearings out of the wheel by applying gentle pressure to one side, allowing them to "pop" out of the opposite side. If the bearing is stuck, you may need to clamp the wheel down so you can apply greater pressure using a screwdriver or bolt.
Step 3
Insert the new bearing into the wheel, using gentle pressure. Make sure the bearing is fully seated within the wheel and does not protrude on either side.
Step 4
Put the wheel back into the skate and, using your Allen wrench, reattach the axle to it. Vary how much you tighten the axle bolts based on the type of spacer you are using. With plastic spacers, tighten the bolts completely and then loosen them up just a little to avoid compressing or cracking. Aluminum spacers, on the other hand, can be completely tightened.
Step 5
Test the wheel by giving it a spin. Does it rotate freely? If not, you will need to loosen your axle some. If it is loose or wobbly, tighten up your axle.
Step 6
Repeat these steps for each of your wheels.
Tips and Warnings
- Try cleaning and lubricating your bearings before you decide to completely change them. If your skates are frequently exposed to sand, water or grit, you will want to clean and lubricate them monthly while replacing them annually. Otherwise, you can simply monitor their performance, only cleaning and changing them as needed.
Things You'll Need
- Skates
- Spacers
- Wheels
- Allen wrench, sized appropriately for the skates
- Screwdriver, sized appropriate for the skates
- New bearings
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