Bushings commonly get worn out over time and start making your trucks floppy and unstable, which can cause you to get a lot of wheelbite. If your bushings are split or crushed on one or both sides, it’s probably worth replacing your bushings so you can get some more responsive turns and less flop.
Do bushings make a difference skateboard?
Typically made of polyurethane, the bushings assist in allowing your board to turn and pivot smoothly. There should be two bushings on each truck (four total). The top bushing, which is on the kingpin above the hanger, helps the skateboard truck turn smoothly.
Do skateboard bushings matter?
Bushings are a very important part of skateboard trucks. Every truck is equipped with two bushings – the street-facing top bushing, and the board-facing bottom bushing. Like skateboard wheels, bushings are made of polyurethane, i.e. plastic.
Can you replace bushings on skateboard?
Whether you are replacing your bushings or not, you should take each part and clean it up. You can even take the kingpin out of the baseplate and clean it as well. Feel free to replace any parts that you would like to. If you are installing new bushings, of course you can throw the old bushings away.
Should I get hard or soft bushings?
Softer bushings will help you turn better but offer less stability. Harder bushings will cause your trucks to be tighter and increase stability, turning your skateboard will be more difficult. You can adjust the tightness of your trucks but only to some extent.
How do you know when to change bushings on a skateboard?
Bushings commonly get worn out over time and start making your trucks floppy and unstable, which can cause you to get a lot of wheelbite. If your bushings are split or crushed on one or both sides, it’s probably worth replacing your bushings so you can get some more responsive turns and less flop.
Do all bushings fit all trucks?
Stock bushings are selected with a “one size fits all” mentality but no one has the same ride style and body weight, so it is strongly recommended that you play around with different bushing shapes, and durometers to customize the way your trucks ride.
How stiff should skateboard trucks be?
For stability while cruising, medium tightness is preferable. This should keep the trucks loose enough for turning. However, tighten the trucks if you tend to skate downhill or plan to do some practice rides on a steep slope or ramp.
Do I need hard bushings?
Harder bushings provide more resistance (better for larger riders) and softer bushings provide less resistance (better for smaller riders). Getting the correct durometer (hardness) for your bushings is the most important part in getting your trucks to perform the way you want them to.
Should I change bushings?
Given the importance of bushings in your vehicle, it is important to replace them when the rubber wears out. If symptoms such as shock and noise can clearly be linked to the bushings on a certain part of your truck, those bushings must be replaced to ensure the health and service life of the vehicle.
Why are my bushings squeaking?
Bushings can begin to squeak if the rubber becomes torn or dried out. This is a result of natural weathering overtime from the environment and contact with motor oil and other chemicals. Friction over time combined with the stress from driving and frequent movements can compound this issue.
How long do skateboard trucks last?
Your skateboard truck’s life depends on its quality and its owner’s usage, but on average, it can last for 2 to 4 years. You can still maximize your truck’s service life if you can give them enough attention and care. Your truck’s life can depend on how you can use and maintain them throughout the years.
Should you grease skateboard bushings?
A good thing to do is put a smear of grease, oil, WD40 or dry lube stick on the top and bottom flat surface of the bushings. This just helps the hanger ‘slip’ back to it’s correct position. If you ride your trucks a bit they will ‘break in’ and it will probably sort it’s self out pretty quickly.
How do I make my skateboard turn more?
To adjust skateboard trucks, get a skate tool, or a spanner, and adjust the kingpin. The kingpin is the largest nut on the truck. Turn clockwise to tighten, and anti-clockwise to loosen. Adjust about a quarter turn at at time.
How do I stop my skateboard bushings from squeaking?
The best way to eliminate this annoying noise is by taking a few shavings of bar soap or wax and dropping them into the empty pivot cup (make sure you take your hanger out first). Then just distribute the soap/wax around the pivot cup evenly with your pinky finger or the actual pivot of the hanger.
How do you clean skateboard bushings?
Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cloth or sheet of paper towel. Clean the pivot cup and bushings. Rinse the pivot cup and bushings by running the items through hot water.
Do skateboard bushings need washers?
Barrel & Cone (“Standard”) Bushing Combo
Cupped washers grip the bushings and reduce the “slop” in the turn. Simple as that! You’ll need a total of two large cupped washers and two small cupped washers for your board.
How do I make my skateboard trucks better?
Use a skate tool or other useful tool to tighten or loosen the big nut in the center of the truck.
- Turn it clockwise to tighten the trucks, getting tighter turning.
- Turn it counter-clockwise to loosen the trucks, getting a softer turning feel.
Are skateboards supposed to wobble?
A wobbly skateboard isn’t a bad thing, some actually like to ride their trucks super loose. Beginners will have a harder time learning to ride a skateboard with loose trucks. After all, a more stable board will help you keep your balance.
Are skateboards supposed to tilt?
The board should give as you put your weight on the edges. This tilting causes the trucks to pivot, which allows you to steer. If the board does not tilt much, loosen the kingpin nuts on both trucks, making certain the nylon strip on the nut still contacts the threads.
How do you break in bushings?
Spend your first few skate sessions either skating on flat ground or basic riding in a mini ramp. Adjust the trucks after a few days of breaking in the new bushings. As soon as your board starts to feel normal—no tightness or awkward pulling off to one side—tighten the trucks as you would normally ride them.