How to Tighten Bushings

Skateboarding lets you carve the streets and surf the sidewalks as if they were waves. The metal axles on the underside of the board, also referred to as trucks, allow you to turn and swerve. Two urethane bushings are installed on each truck to cushion your turns and prevent you from turning too hard to one side. When bushings are too loose, there is a chance of wheel bite, which occurs when the wheels come in contact with the underside of the board. Avoid a spill by tightening your bushings before hitting the pavement.

Things You'll Need

  • 9/16-inch socket
  • Socket wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Flip your board upside down and locate the bushings. The lower bushing will be sandwiched between the truck's bottom plate and axle. The top bushing will be between the axle and the securing nut.

    • 2

      Attach the 9/16-inch socket to your socket wrench. Fit the socket snugly over the securing nut.

    • 3

      Rotate the socket wrench clockwise to tighten the nut and compress the bushings. Repeat for the securing nut on the other truck.

    • 4

      Turn the board so that the topside faces upward. Stand on the board, then shift your weight from the toe side to the heel side of the board to test the tightness of the bushings. If they still feel too loose, tighten the nut using half rotations of the wrench. If they are too tight, loosen the nut using half rotations of the wrench.