A skateboard bushing is a cylindrical object that fits into the hole of the truck. This keeps your wheels in place so you can push, but also allows room for some movement when needed. If your bushings are worn down or are “slap-happy” meaning too loose, they need to be replaced. Replacing your skateboard bushings is a task that can be done by yourself without taking your board to a shop or purchasing new hardware. In this guide, we will show you how to replace your skateboard’s bushings on the cheap and with ease.
Replacing Skateboard Bushings
You’ll start by removing the kingpin nut from your board. If you have a standard skateboard, using a wrench should be no problem. In case you own a longboard or cruiser, either ask someone with the right tool to help you out or try grabbing it with some pliers and turning it counterclockwise as shown in the picture.
Once you’ve removed your kingpin nut, use a hammer to knock out the old bushing. A good way of doing this is by putting the shaft of the skateboard truck on a secure surface and then hitting it with another item. We found that using our knee worked well too! Now remove all four bushings from your truck, make sure to save the metal washers that go in between them and your board.
If you want to take a look at what kind of bushing you have, check out our skateboard bushings buying guide for all types available on the market today!
Cleaning and Replacing Parts from your Skateboard Trucks and Bushing
Now is the time to clean off your newly cleaned board and replace any pieces that were removed earlier. Depending on which part of your board needs cleaning, follow our cleaners and care tutorials for drop-through boards or top-mount boards to get the job done quickly! Then simply slide in your kingpin nut, washers, and nuts onto the bolts, making sure to screw them back on all the way.
There you have it. Now that your board is back together, all that’s left to do is put it in Reverse and give new bushings a try!
Assembling Replacing Skateboard Bushings
Now it’s time to slide your new bushings into the truck. There are two different ways of doing this, depending on what kind of skateboard trucks you have.If you have a standard skateboard truck with 6 holes, simply drop the bushing through the hole, install your metal washer and then screw in the kingpin nut again.
If you have a bushing with plastic rings on top, simply push the metal washer down into the ring and then screw in your bushing. It will be more stable this way and won’t wear out as quickly. Then do the same for all three of them!
Tightening Your Skateboard Truck Bolts
One of the most common mistakes skateboarders make is not properly tightening their trucks. This can be a serious safety concern if one of your wheels falls off while riding it! Most hardware stores don’t have a torque wrench, so we recommend using a skate tool to tighten them down. The best way is to tighten one side at a time, then move to the other side. The last step is to make sure the truck is tightened down with your skate tool and you’re all set!
Conclusion:
Skateboard bushings are an essential component of your skateboard’s trucks, and you will likely need to replace them from time to time. Bushings control the trucks’ flexibility and hold them in place around the kingpin. Because they can wear over time, it may be necessary to replace your skateboard’s bushings as part of regular skateboard maintenance, or in order to improve your ride.
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