How to Clean & Grease Roller Skate Bearings

Over time your skates will start to make a grinding noise. When you hear this sound, you will also find that it takes a lot more effort to move fast on your skates. If you are having these problems, the bearings inside your wheels have dirt in them and need to be cleaned. Grease covers the bearings in order to reduce friction and protect your wheels from getting scratched. The small pits and uneven surfaces of scratched wheels can increase friction and slow you down.

Things You'll Need

  • Skate tool or 1/2" socket wrench
  • Brake cleaner
  • Small pin
  • Gloves
  • Eye protection
  • Bucket
  • Paper towels
  • Skate bearing lubricant
  • Soap
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the wheels of your skates by using the skate tool or the socket wrench to unbolt the bolts that hold the wheels on.

    • 2

      Push the pin into the edge of the rubber or plastic shield on the inside of the skate. Use this to pry out the shield and reveal the bearings. Clean the shields with soap and water. Dry them with paper towels. The shields must be completely dry before you replace them.

    • 3

      Take each wheel and place it back on the axle on the skate part way, about 3/8” on the axle. Hook the axle so that it is pushing against the bearing, but not against the wheel itself.

    • 4

      Pull downward, gently but steadily and at and angle on the wheel to dislodge the bearing. Be sure not to pull too hard on the wheel, as you may damage the bearings.

    • 5

      Put on your gloves and eye protection.

    • 6

      Hold the bearings over a bucket and spray the bearing with brake cleaner. Do not spray down into the bucket; spray at the bearing sideways. The bucket is used to catch the sludge that will be coming off your bearings. If you spray down into the bucket, the sludge may splash off the bottom of the bucket back at you.

    • 7

      Apply the skate bearing lubricant to the bearings according to the instructions on the bottle. The amount needed varies from brand to brand, but most call for about two drops.

    • 8

      Push the bearings and shields back into the wheels.