How to Get Bearings Out of Skate Wheels?

When you are skating, your bearings play an important role. They allow you to keep your board moving smoothly and quickly. Without bearings, friction would prevent you from getting a good skating experience. However, to make sure they function properly, you must know how to take care of them.

Find out how to get bearings out of skate wheels so you can clean, fix, and replace them as necessary. Below, we have a detailed list of materials and step-by-step instructions. Keep going until the end.

Step-by-Step to Get Bearings Out of Skate Wheels

What To Prepare

Step 1: Loosen the nuts to remove the wheels from the truck’s axels

Unscrew the nuts at the end of the axles to pull the skate wheels with a socket wrench or a pair of pliers. Grip the nuts with it and turn counterclockwise.

Set the nuts and any washers into a small box for safekeeping. If you lose them, you will not be able to reassemble your skate wheels.

Step 2: Push the wheels back to the tips of the truck’s axles

Now, put the wheels back onto the axles, but do not push them all the way in. Simply slip the axle into the wheel enough so that its tip will hook inside the bearing. In other words, the tips should not be touching the board wheels, just the board bearings.

Step 3: Remove the bearings

Start prying to pop bearings out of skate wheels. Imagine as though you are opening the cap of a bottle. Make sure you do this gently and slowly to avoid causing damage.

If you are using a bearing puller to remove bearings from wheels, all you need to do is push the tip into the bearing and pull. It helps to flip the wheels over too.

Step 4: Wrap up the process

After you take bearings out of wheels, set them aside for cleaning. If you intend to replace skate bearings, though, you can throw them into the trash.

And you are done!

Now, you can go ahead and change skate bearings into new ones.

Other Ways to Take Bearings Out of Skate Wheels

Alternative Way #1 – Using a Vice & Hammer

You can take off skate bearings with these two handy tools. Place the wheel on its side in the vice, then tap its edges with the hammer. It is best to start with little force and exert more if necessary. Do not be aggressive right away to avoid causing damage.

Alternative Way #2 – Thermal Expansion & Contraction

It might come as a surprise, but it is totally possible to take bearings out of wheels with just heat and ice. Using a hair dryer with high-temperature settings, start by warming up the wheel. Next, dunk it in a container with ice water. The bearings should come right off. You can get bearings out of longboard wheels with this method too.

Alternative Way #3 – Bearing Press

Center the wheel in the press, aligning the bearing with the designated slot. Make sure the wheel sits flush against the base for even pressure distribution. Next, gradually crank the handle or lever until the bearing pops out. Avoid using excessive force to prevent damage to the wheel or press. Repeat the process for the remaining bearings on the wheel.

Alternative Way #4 – Screwdriver

Start with the back side of the wheel, use a flathead screwdriver, and gently lift the back bearing. Exercise caution to avoid damaging the bearing, as the screwdriver may slip and cause injury to your hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I replace my skate bearings?

You should replace your skate wheel bearings when they cannot spin smoothly despite just being cleaned and lubed. It is also necessary to remove them when you notice signs of wear and tear.

Replacing the wheel bearings of your skate at the right time is very important to make sure you are always safe while going skating. It also ensures that your skating sessions will be fun.

Is it OK to replace just one wheel bearing?

When you take out skate bearings, it is totally fine to replace just the faulty one. By doing so, you can save time, effort (heading to the skate shop and carrying out the removal process), and money. There is no need to replace the bearings in pairs.

Conclusion

Now, you know how to get bearings out of skate wheels quickly and easily. There are only four simple steps to follow.

Being able to pop the bearings from your skates enables you to clean, fix, and replace them properly when necessary. As a result, you can keep your skate accompanying you for a long time.

Feel free to bookmark this to refer back to it in the future. If you have other thoughts or questions, reach out to us in the comments down below.