How to Adjust ABEC 1 Rollerblades

Many types of Rollerblades and other brands of inline skates come with ABEC 1 bearings in their wheels. ABEC, the acronym for the Annual Bearing Engineers Committee of the Anti-friction Bearing Manufacturers Association, is a rating system for wheel performance, according to Inline Planet. ABEC 1 is the lowest rating for speed, but the quality and durability of bearings varies by brand. Properly adjusting and maintaining your ABEC 1s will prolong the life and performance of the bearings.

Things You'll Need

  • Inline skate three-way tool, and possibly a second Allen wrench
  • Bearing lubricant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the wheels from your skates using an Allen wrench. Most three-way skate tools are equipped with an Allen wrench, as well as a Phillips-head screwdriver and a bearing remover. Certain wheels will require the use of two Allen wrenches, one on each side of the wheel. The wheels on many types of older skates are attached by Phillips-head screws.

    • 2

      Insert the bearing removal tool into the middle of each wheel, applying the head of the tool against the edge of the bearing. The two bearings and bearing spacers in each wheel will be pushed through the center of the wheel before they fall out. Separate the bearings from the bearing spacers after they are out of the wheel.

    • 3

      Apply bearing lubricant to each bearing. (There are many different types of lubricant, ranging from sprays to squeezable tubes to solutions wherein bearings are soaked overnight. Regardless of the amount, cover the entire bearing with the liquid.) Reconnect the bearings to the spacers and place them back in the wheel.

    • 4

      Return the wheels to the skates, but change their placements. The less worn side of the wheels should be aligned with your instep, and the wheels that were previously in the front and back of the skates should then be moved to the middle positions. Screw each wheel in tightly.