The Effects of Changing the Bushings in Skateboard Trucks

The bushings are the flexible, urethane rings found in skateboard truck assemblies that create most of a board's "feel" and turning characteristics. They effectively serve as the board's suspension and steering system. Bushings come in a variety of shapes and hardnesses and represent the basic way to "tune" a board to your personal requirements. Adjusting or changing the bushings can have several effects.

  1. Stability

    • Adjust the "feel" of a skateboard primarily by tightening or loosening the kingpin. Because the kingpin passes through the bushings and compresses them, their resistance to compression, shape and ability to "hold" when compressed to a specific point determines how reliable the characteristics of the board remain. Skateboard bushing hardness is specified in a "Durometer" number: The greater the number, the harder the bushing material.

    Turning Characteristics

    • A skateboard's trucks act as the board's combined suspension and steering system.

      The lower of the two bushings, usually the larger one, determines how quickly the board turns. Other things being equal, the softer this bushing, the easier the board will turn. Shape and bushing mounting hardware, in the form of cupped or flat washers, also affect the turning characteristics; manufacturers offer a wide array of tuning parts to suit many different boarding styles.

    Restored Control

    • Check and, if required, change the bushings on a board as part of an ongoing maintenance program. If your board is becoming more difficult to control, it might not just result from tired legs. Although good-quality, urethane bushings have a long life, they can wear out; you can restore control and performance quickly with a new set of bushings. If your board has seen some action and still has its original bushings, now could be the right time for some replacements.