How to Clean Bearings for Inline Skates

Roller hockey is an intense, fast-paced game that puts an incredible amount of stress and wear on the bearings of your inline skates. In order to get the most out of your skates before needing to purchase new ones, it is recommended that the bearings in all of your wheels be cleaned and lubricated on a regular basis. Ride skates longer and save money by cleaning your own skate bearings at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Bearing press
  • Screwdriver
  • Degreaser
  • X-acto knife or similar
  • 4mm hex key
  • Ball bearing lubricant or grease
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the wheels of your inline skates. Depending on the brand and design, you will have either four or eight wheels total. Most skates use a 4mm hex key bolt to hold the wheels in place. If yours do not, refer to your owner's manual.

    • 2

      Use a flat head screwdriver to push the bearings out of the wheels one by one. Be sure not to damage any of the bearings during this process.

    • 3

      Pick up the first bearing to be cleaned (you should do them one by one for best results) and remove the plastic bearing with and X-acto knife or other sharp object. Try not to scar or scratch the ball bearings.

    • 4

      Place the bearing on a rag or towel and pour a liberal amount of degreaser onto it. Pick up the rag and the bearing and rub the degreaser into the ball bearings until they look shiny and clean.

    • 5

      Give the bearing a few good spins to remove any excess degreaser and set it back down on the rag. Place a liberal amount of bearing grease or lubricant on the bearing. Push the grease or lubricant into the bearing while spinning it slowly with the other hand until all internal surfaces have been covered.

    • 6

      Set the bearing protector back in place, and use a bearing press to fit the bearing back into the wheel. Reinstall the wheel on your skates.

    • 7

      Clean and grease the rest of the bearings in a similar fashion until the skates are back in business and rolling smoothly.