How To Fix A Slow Skateboard

Is your skateboard not going as fast as you would like and has you wondering how to fix a slow skateboard? Well, this is fortunately an easy fix. Usually, retail stores that sell pre-made skateboards tend to use some of the cheap wheel bearings, which can hamper the performance. It could be as simple as the nuts being too tight. A skateboard that has been in commission for a while can slow down for multiple reasons.

To fix a slow skateboard, you will need:

• Adjustable Wrench
• Paper Clip (or any similar metal object)
• Rag
• Lubricant (skateboard bearing specific recommended)
• Paint Thinner

1. Loosen the nuts. Your may need to fix a slow skateboard because the nuts that hold the bearings and wheels to the trucks could be too tight. The nut is located in the center of each wheel. You can loosen the nuts by using an adjustable wrench. Take the wrench to the nuts and loosen them by turning them to the left just a bit. Take the skateboard for a spin to identify if this was the issue. If the skateboard is still slow you might want to try the next step.
2. Clean the bearings. If the skateboard in question is a used skateboard the bearings most likely have seen their days of dirt, grime, mud, or water. There are two bearings for each wheel, one bearing is located on the outside of the wheel (closest to the nut) and one on the inside of the wheel (closest to the truck). To clean the bearings you first need to remove the nut that holds each bearing and wheel in place. Once the nut is removed, take out the outside bearing, remove the wheel, then take off the inside bearing. Getting the bearings out of the wheel can be tricky sometimes. If this is an issue try popping them out with a paper clip or a similar object. Now that both bearings are off of the truck, you can clean them by wiping them down with a rag, spraying a lubricant, or soaking your bearings in paint thinner for 30 minutes to a hour, then drying them off and re-applying them to the skateboard.
3. Buying new bearings. Some bearings are meant to be affordable, but affordable doesn't always mean effective. New bearings can be as good as having a new skateboard when it comes to the ride. Prices can vary from $10 to upwards of $40 or more. Some might say the more you spend, the better the bearing, but that is all up to individual preference.