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Fix slow skateboard wheels

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Q. The wheels on my skateboard aren’t spinning well anymore. Is there anything I can do to fix them or do I have to buy new wheels?
Slow Joe, Tampa, Fla.

A. We feel your pain, Slow. We have the same problem, so we asked our friend Andy Macdonald, eight-time world champion skateboarder, for the lowdown on your slow down:

“New wheels are not going to help in the least if your wheels aren’t spinning. Chances are you just have to clean and lubricate your bearings. Remove your wheel and pop out the bearings with the edge of your axle. Bones Bearings pretty much set the standard in the skateboarding world as far as bearings go. They recommend picking up a Bones Bearings Cleaner Unit at your local skate shop ($15), but a clean plastic yogurt cup and a few cotton swabs will work, too.

“You’ll need to remove the bearing shields if your bearings have them. Just poke them out with a paper clip. Then soak your bearings in acetone, nail-polish remover or rubbing alcohol. Spin them dry and make sure all the dust and dirt are out. Now you’ve removed all the dirt as well as all the lubricant from your bearings. It’s important to use a silicone-based lubricant. WD40 or others like it will dry out your bearings and attract dust and dirt. You can pick up a bottle of Bones Speed Cream at the skate shop, or try some Prolong from the auto parts store. It doesn’t take much, and the excess will just spin out when you replace your shields, pop your bearings back in your wheels and start shredding. Skate safe and enjoy your new-found speed.”


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10 Comments on Fix slow skateboard wheels

  1. get bones cleaner or lube and soak them for a couple of mins.

  2. armybrat213 // October 3, 2007 at 3:09 pm // Reply

    slosen the bolts a little bit

  3. i think wd 40 or around da house oil works best

  4. You could always just oil your wheels and i agree with jjjjjjjjjjjg.

  5. Personally bearings aren’t that expensive, and just some spitfire bearings work just fine for me. Also everyone else has a legidiment answer and i think wd 40 works just fine.

  6. I agree with bacon.

  7. johnnny D-Train // June 17, 2007 at 9:08 pm // Reply

    You can also use graphite

  8. If you dont want to clean your bearings and you have an old board with good bearings just switch them out and they should feel good.

  9. Take your barings and spray them with wd-40 and if that dosent work, wash them off with a rag and get some plated bearings or what I have are baring proters that you can put on the out side of your barings and keeps your barings clean.

  10. jjjjjjjjjjg // May 14, 2007 at 2:36 pm // Reply

    You can put some oil in the washers.

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