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How to change longboard bearings – ultimate guide
When you’ve been longboarding for months, it’s likely that you’ll need to replace/change your longboard bearings due to wear and tear, which could damage the board’s overall performance. It will be beneficial to replace them in order to maximize productivity. Changing the bearing, however, may not be as simple as it appears.
Longboard bearings are an important feature of the longboard because they allow the wheels to spin smoothly. However, if you’re having trouble acquiring speed, this might be the best reason to switch bearings. So, if you want to increase your speed, it’s time to replace them with new ones!
This post will show you how to replace the bearings on your longboard.
Why Should Your Longboard Bearings Be Replaced?
The bearings on your longboard are primarily responsible for rolling your board wheels. As a result, if your bearings are damaged, you must replace them right away.
The performance of your board bearings will be slowed if they are worn out. Even if you push it hard, you won’t be able to ride at a higher pace. Changing your longboard bearings can help you keep your board in good shape and reduce friction. As a result, the ride is smooth and comfortable.
They may also pluck if you do not adjust your bearings. This will loosen the axle nut and cause your wheels to fall off. It might put your life in jeopardy.
How Often Should Longboard Bearings Be Replaced?
There are a few indicators that indicate whether it’s time to replace your bearings. Broken bearings, low-quality bearings, and a notable decrease in board speed are all examples.
If your bearings are of great quality, however, you may only need to replace them once a year or every two years. You’ll also need to replace your bearings if you want to improve your longboard speed.
Changing Longboard Bearings in 11 Easy Steps:
If you’ve opted to replace your board bearings, you’ll need to know how. The eleven stages to replace longboard bearings are outlined here.
- Purchase a skate tool as well as new bearings.
This job will necessitate the use of a skate tool as well as new bearings. Make sure your longboard bearings are high-quality and standard.
- Get your longboard ready.
Obtain your longboard and place it on a firm surface. Invert it so that the board trucks are facing upward.
- Remove the axle nut and loosen it.
Using the skate tool, remove the nut that holds the wheels in place. Make sure you’re using the right size skate tool for the job.
- Remove the spacer and wheels.
After you’ve unbolted the nut, you may remove the wheel and spacer. Set the spacer aside in a secure location.
- Pry the bearings out of their sockets
Using the Allen/hex key, a tiny tool that is one of the components of a skate tool, pry the bearing out of the wheels. After that, you can go on to the other wheels. Remove the spacer from between the bearings and the wheel as well.
- Replace the bearings.
After removing the old bearings, insert one of the new bearings into the wheel. Push it with your fingers or a tool until it is appropriately positioned or it comes to a halt on the wheel’s stopper. Carry on with the other wheel in the same manner.
- Put the spacer back in its place.
Return the spacer between the bearings once the bearings have been installed in the wheel. It has to be in a standing position.
- Replace the wheel and the outside spacer.
Replace the external spacer on the axle of the board. The wheels should then be returned. Make sure they’re correctly reinstalled.
- Tighten the axle nut.
Screw and attach the nut on the axle using the skate tool. This will keep the wheel secure and in the correct position.
- Carry on with the procedure.
On the other truck, repeat steps 1 through 9 as needed. After that, you can put the wheels to the test.
- Inspect the wheels
Spin all four wheels to see how they react. They must be able to move about freely. Adjust the nut if they don’t spin freely. It’s possible that it’s too tight, so relax it until the wheels spin freely.
On the other hand, if all of the wheels spin smoothly, you can expect a fast ride.
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FAQ
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Q: How can I know when I’m in need of new bearings?
A: After a while, some bearings create a noise. This does not necessitate the purchase of new bearings. Give your wheels a brief revolution to check their speed. If the wheel/s suddenly halt, you’ll know you need a new set of bearings. Bearings are relatively inexpensive, which is good news.
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Q: Will improving my bearings help me travel faster?
A:No, but they’ll keep you rolling for a longer period of time. In terms of speed, wheels play a significantly larger influence. A bigger wheel (80mm+) will accelerate slowly yet reach a high top speed. Smaller wheels (51mm-66mm) will accelerate quickly but have a limited top speed. Wheels with a diameter of 70mm to 75mm will have a nice mix of acceleration and top speed. The “hardness” of the urethane also plays a part. A harder wheel will be faster in a skate park but slower in a typical setting because cracks and rough pavement slow it down more, whereas a softer wheel will roll over such imperfections more readily and lose less speed.
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Q: How do I know when I need to replace my bearings?
A: After a while, some bearings start to produce noise. This does not necessitate the purchase of new bearings. Give your wheels a brief spin to check their speed. If the wheels suddenly stop turning, you’ll know you need new bearings. However, if your wheels abruptly halt, make sure the axle bolts are not overtightened against the bearing. If the bearings still won’t turn after removing the axle nut, new bearings are required. The good news is that high-quality bearings like Bones Reds are reasonably priced and simple to reinstall.
Final Thoughts
In general, I recommend replacing your old bearings with high-quality bearings. You have the option of changing them once a year or every two years. Cleaning your bearings on a regular basis or once a month is also a good idea, especially if you ride frequently. Check to see whether your bearings are worn out.
Bearing replacement and maintenance will result in increased speed and smoother rides. It will also keep you secure. This article on how to change longboard bearings will teach you how to keep your longboard in good working order.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comment box. We are happy to answer all of your questions and welcome your feedback.
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