Servicing your Bearings
Inline skate bearings usually come in sets of four to eight. Before you head out to your favorite sporting goods store, write down the information that’s shown on the outer shields of your bearings. Don’t forget to flip the bearing over and include the text that’s inscribed on the other side.
Skateboard Bearing
If you’re happy with the original bearings that came with your skates or the last set you installed, by all means buy the same bearings. If you have serviceable bearings like TwinCams or YAKs and you don’t mind doing your own cleaning and lubrication than you may want to stick with the double-shielded type, especially if they are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) that your skate manufacturer recommends.
On the other hand, if you have non-serviceable or sealed bearings and are squeamish about doing your own cleaning and lubrication, even periodically, you may want to stick with this type of bearing and just replace them when they need to be changed.
In addition, if you have shielded bearings with pop-out caps, like Powell Swiss or Black Hole brands, and like them for their ease of maintenance, it’s probably best to go with this kind of bearing again.
How to Clean Skateboard Bearings and Wheel
Clean Skateboard Bearing And Wheel
If you notice that your wheels are not gliding the way they should be or creating a distinct squeaking sound, then it is time to do some maintenance cleaning.
- Using a +” socket wrench or a skate tool, remove the wheels from the trucks.
- Then, remove the bearings from the wheels. To do this, barely hook the wheel back to the axle (the bearing should be hooked to the tip of the axle) and slowly pry the wheel, pooping the bearing out. This requires extreme care as you might damage the bearing in the process. (But if you are planning to throw the old bearings away and replace them with new ones, you can pry as hard as you want but make sure that you do not damage the wheels.)
- Once you have separated the bearing from the wheels, you can now clean them separately.
- To clean the wheels, use water or mild soap and water solution. Brush the dirt off the wheels or simply wipe them with rag or towel. Check and remove dirt embedded in and around the wheel. Dry the wheels with cloth or towel.
- Now, clean the bearings. Take one bearing and spray every edge with a generous amount of Tri-flow Superior Lubricant. Do this on both sides of the bearings. Make sure that you are able to flush away all the dirt inside and in between the ball bearings. Repeat the same procedure to the rest of the bearings.
- Once you are done with all the bearings, you can attach them one by one back to the wheels immediately or let them leak and dry first.
- Reattach the wheel and bearings assembly back to the truck.
- If you do not have the time to do all these, you can clean the bearings while still inside the wheel. To do this, remove the wheel from the truck and spray Tri-flow Superior Lubricant directly to the bearings. Pat down the wheel assembly to remove the lubricant inside. Then, reattach the wheels back to the trucks. While this cleans the bearings, you may want to periodically remove the bearings off its wheel for thorough maintenance.
- Cleaning your skateboard bearings and wheels not only will improve your skateboarding experience, it also will extend your bearings’ and wheels’ lifespan. The process may be meticulous but it is all worth the effort.