How to Take a C Clip Off a Skate Bearing

Protecting moving metal parts from friction and wear, bearings allow for fluid movement of wheels, shafts and bushings. Typically, bearings are a group of metal balls encased in a stationary, grease-filled housing set between two or more moving parts. When bearings are used in applications exposed to the elements, such as roller skates, the bearings must be periodically cleaned and repacked with grease. Roller skates with in-line wheels commonly have the skate bearing held in place with a C-clip that must be removed to access the bearing.

Things You'll Need

  • Wrench
  • Flat-head screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the wheel from the skate with a wrench.

    • 2

      Locate the C-clip, set just to the inside edge of the bearing casing inside the center of the skate wheel.

    • 3

      Insert the corner of the tip of a small screwdriver into the space between the ends of the C-clip.

    • 4

      Push the tip of the screwdriver against the flat non-tapered end of the C-clip until the clip begins to slide. Push the screwdriver away from you so you will not be injured should the screwdriver slip off the clip.

    • 5

      Inset the tip of the screwdriver against the outside tapered edge of the narrow end of the C-clip. Gently pry the clip inward and up, out of the bearing housing.