How To Make Skateboard Bearings Work

Need to know how to make skateboard bearings work again? If you find your skateboard bearings are much slower than they used to be, you're probably wondering how to make them work again. Read on to learn about cleaning, lubricating and maintaining your skateboard bearings.

To make your skateboard bearings work again, you'll need:

• Silicone-free skateboard bearing lubricant
• Rubbing alcohol
• A cotton cloth
• Two disposable containers
• A ratchet wrench 
• A paper clip

1. Take the wheels off your skateboard and pry out the bearings with the end of your axle. You can use your ratchet wrench to remove the nut that holds your wheels on your skateboard. Use the end of your axle to gently pry your bearings out of your wheels.
2. Soak your bearings in rubbing alcohol. If your bearings have bearing shields, you'll need to remove them first to allow liquid to penetrate the inside of the bearings. You can pry your bearing shields off with a straightened paper clip. Soak your bearings in isopropyl alcohol for five minutes to remove old dirt and grime. Afterward, spin your bearings repeatedly until they're free of remaining liquid.
3. Soak your bearings in silicone-free skateboard bearing lubricant. Silicone-free skateboard bearing lubricant is available in specialty skate shops.
4. Wipe off excess bearing lubricant with a cloth. Put your skateboard bearings off to one side and allow them to drain for at least two hours to remove excess bearing lubricant. Spin your bearings a few times before you replace the shields to make sure all excess lubricant has drained.
5. Replace your bearing shields. They should snap back on easily.
6. Put your bearings back in your wheels and your wheels back on your skateboard. Push your skateboard bearings back into position and attach your wheels to your trucks with the original nuts.