Installing skateboard trucks. How to attach wheels and wheels bearings?

Skateboarding can safely be called a fun sport, perfect for a great time in the city.

Though you won’t be able to accomplish any tricks or cruising rides without skateboard trucks.

It happens that skateboard truck can get damaged, so you need to know how to replace them.

It’s not difficult to install skateboard trucks.

Steps for mounting trucks on the skateboard

Preparation

Firstly, you need to prepare a skateboard. Find a comfortable working space for your board and needed tools.

Secondly, clean up your deck. You may also install a new grip tape if needed.

Thirdly, you need to set up the trucks. For that, you’ll need a baseplate, hanger, kingpin, and a t-tool.

Installing

Attach the trucks. Its plate comes with six holes. Four of them are for nuts and bolts. Two others are for hanger and kingpin.

Then, you need to attach the wheels. Use a t-tool to install the wheels.

Test the board. Make sure that all parts are installed correctly.

You will find detailed installation instructions below.

Equipment needed

Skateboard trucks

There are different types of skateboard trucks, so before installing the new one choose the type you need.

If you want to install new ones, be ready that usually all the assembly is bought separately.

No matter what type you need, pay attention to its physical characteristics.

They usually come in different sizes. If your deck width is around 8″ you require trucks with an axle nut width of 7.875″ to 8.125″.

Parts of skateboard decks also vary in materials and durability, weight, or type.

Hardware

The skateboard has four holes near the tail and the same amount near the nose. So you require eight pairs of nuts and bolts.

Make sure you’ve chosen the right size for your hardware.

Sometimes a new skateboard doesn’t have holes in the grip tape. In this case, you’ll need something to push those tapes out and make room for the hardware to go through.

Skate tool

To use a skate tool you need to know that it consists of 3-size sockets, a Phillips screwdriver, and Allen’s head.

This device is meant for easier adjustment.

Sometimes skates don’t come with a skateboard tool, you can use wrenches instead of it.

Power drill

The power drill consists is used as a hand machine to drill holes in the wall. In our case, you’ll need it to easily rotate the screws.

Skateboard wheels

You’ll need new wheels to make sure that installation is going right.

You require four wheels. Do not mix wheels of different types.

Wheels bearings

You also will need two bearings to fit inside each wheel, which means eight-wheel bearings.

Bearings can come in ABEC-3, ABEC-5, and ABEC-7. The fastest is ABEC-7 and the slowest is ABEC-3.

How to put them on a skateboard deck?

Prepare

Make sure you have all the skate tools. Secure your working space for the deck, hand tools and hardware.

To make the process easier, make sure that all the items are ready to hand.

Clean up the deck

You’ll need to clean up the deck if you want to make the process easier.

The holes must have enough space for the bolts to go through.

Now clean the deck and the holes from everything that could get into them.

Set up trucks on a skateboard

Usually, a completely assembled skateboard truck contains kingpins and hangers-on.

To join all the parts, begin by fitting the hanger into the baseplate. It consists of six holes. Those of smaller sizes are meant for bolts.

Check whether you aligned the hanger onto one hole. This will make the kingpin easier to install.

Then screw in the kingpin and adjust its tightening to the appropriate level.

Attaching the trucking assembly

Turn the board upside down and align the trucking slots with the deck.

Then you need to put in the bolts from the deck area and then twirl the nut from the other side.

Make sure that each bolt is fixed properly.

When you have done these steps for all eight compounds, you can start by tightening things up.

Attaching the skateboard wheels

Skateboard wheels are essential for checking how the trucks work.

Start with installing wheel bearings. For this, you need to remove axle nuts and speed washers. You might need a bearing press to insert the bearings into the wheels.

When one bearing is in, you can remove the wheel, to go to another bearing.

Install the skateboard wheels onto the axle. Then, check whether they’re firmly fixed. Wheels mustn’t be installed too tightly or too loosely.

As we said before, you need to take into account your riding style and accordingly choose the appropriate wheels.

Test ride

Now, when you’ve done all the previous steps, you need to test your board.

Safety is the main priority.

So make sure that all the bolts, gears, and other parts of the hardware fit closely.

It’s better to take a test ride on a level road. If there is a necessity to adjust something, do this a try again.

Best tips

Cleaning

Clean your board regularly so that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on its parts because of dirt.

Pro advice

Ask the skateboard store staff for advice if you want to be more confident in the parts you buy.

Maintaining

Maintain your trucks by lubricating the parts that need it. This way, you will ensure a quality ride on your skateboard.

FAQ

Which way do trucks go on skateboards?

The best way to make trucks on a skateboard work is to remember the rule which says “kingpin in”.

It means that when you look down at the board, kingpins are to be facing each other. Hangers are to face outwards on the nose and tail.

Should my trucks be the same width as my board?

No, they shouldn’t. But there are some matching sizes.

How do you attach skateboard trucks?

You perform it by flipping the board and aligning the trucks’ slots with the board. Then you insert the pins and twirl the nut from the second side.

The same process is to be done with the second assembly.

How do you change skateboard trucks?

Start with fitting the hanger into the baseplate. Then twirl in the kingpin.

Turn the skateboard upside and down and align the trucking slots.

Insert the pins and twirl in the nuts.

After you’ve checked that everything is properly done, you can move on to tightening things up.

Which way should my trucks face?

You need to install the truck so that the kingpin and the bushings face inwards, toward the other.

What trucks do pro skaters use?

Usually, pro skaters prefer to use Thunder or Hollow Lights II trucks. They can improve impact resistance and reduce weight.

How do I know if my truck is reverse kingpin?

A reverse kingpin must have a smoother and more fluid turning feel than a standard kingpin.

To sum up

To prevent the necessity to install new trucks, clean your skate regularly, because dirt can accumulate on wheels and wheels bearings.

Read More About How to Put Trucks on a Skateboard?