How to Get a Bearing Cap Out of a Skateboard Wheel

While rolling effortlessly down the street on your skateboard, you might take your bearings for granted. Bearings contain steel balls which allow the wheel to roll independently of the axle spindles. To protect the ball bearings from dust, grease and dirt, a rubber or steel cap is placed over the bearing. Before you clean your ball bearings, the cap must be pried off.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2-inch wrench
  • Plastic dish
  • Rag
  • Razor blade
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn the skateboard on its side so that the sides of the wheels face upward. From this angle, you will be able to see the bearing embedded into the sides of the wheel.

    • 2

      Loosen the axle nuts which secure the wheel to the truck using a 1/2-inch wrench or socket. Lift the nut and small spacer ring away from the top of the bearing and place them in a plastic dish.

    • 3

      Remove the wheel from the axle. Wipe away dust, dirt and grime from the bearing cap with a damp rag.

    • 4

      Insert the corner of a razor blade into the seam between the inner bearing race and the bearing cap. Apply downward pressure to the opposite end of the razor blade to pry up the cap.

    • 5

      Remove the cap from the side of the bearing. Wipe it clean with the damp rag. Turn the wheel around and repeat Step 4 for the second bearing.

    • 6

      Repeat the above steps for each wheel. Once the caps have been removed from each bearing, commence with cleaning or other required maintenance.