Section One: Tools

Your tools should go where ever your board goes. Some people like to carry just the tools they need, while others prefer to take an entire tool box. During an event you never know what will happen to your board.
A simple bump or crash in some cases is all it takes to knock you out of a race.
Having your tools close can mean the difference between winning and having to withdraw after your first run.

These are some of the tools needed when servicing your board.

Section 2: Checking your Board

Before every ride you should do a general check your board to make sure there are no loose nuts, cracks or damage. You should always do an extensive check of your board after you have had a crash or whenever someone other then you has handled your board (Eg Airlines).

Start by checking your trucks for any hairline fractures. Check around the mounts and hangers.
Never ride your board if there is any damage to the trucks.

If your board has fairings check them to make sure they are secure and there are no cracks especially around the mounts. If you find any damage to your fairing remove it before riding.
Make sure your fairing is secured properly, tighten where necessary.

Next check to make sure all the nuts and screws are tight on your board.

Section 3: Cleaning your bearings.

Bearings are the most important part of your board and to ensure you get the maximum speed and lifespan from your bearings make sure you keep them clean.

Bearings work by having a case of small steel (or ceramic) balls rolling around a stationary shaft. The smoother the contact the balls have as they roll around the shaft the less friction, less friction means more speed.

Every time you ride your bearings are exposed to road grime and dust. If it is not cleaned out regularly you will quickly get a build-up inside the bearing itself. When this happens the surface around the shaft becomes rough and causes friction inside the bearing making them slow down and eventually seize.

During the cleaning process replace any damaged bearings with new ones when able.

When you clean your bearings is up to you. You will find people out there who have never cleaned them and others who clean them after every ride.

Step One: Removing the Wheel.

Start by undoing the nut that holds the wheel on. Be sure to keep your hand underneath the wheel to catch the washer the sits between the bearing and the nut.

After removing the wheel remember the get the other washer that sits on the other side of the bearings.

Step two: Removing the bearing from the wheel.

There are two ways to do this. What you need most importantly is some leverage. You can use a screw driver, by slipping the tip of it into the bearing applying sideways pressure to remove it.

Alternatively you can use the truck hanger itself. Slide the bearing over the tip of the hanger apply
sideways pressure and remove the bearing.

For each wheel you should have, the wheel, a nut, two washers and two bearings.
If you don't have built-in bearings you will have one spacer also.

Step Three: Cleaning the bearings.

The best way to clean your bearings is with a degreasing agent. Many riders use Septone Wax and Grease remover.

Pour enough into a clean jar or can to cover all your bearings, then gently shake the can
or jar to dislodge as much dirt and grime as possible.

Do not leave your bearings in the remover overnight.
Long exposure can corrode the plastic components of the bearing.

Step Four: Retrieving the bearings.

When removing the bearings from the car/jar tip it to the side. This will cause all the dirt and grime to sink to the bottom. Then use a screw driver or something similar to pick up the bearings. Be sure give the bearing a good shake with the screw driver to knock off any dirt and grime that fell over it when you tipped the can.
Then put the bearings onto a paper towel and dry them off.

You can put the nuts and washers in the can as well to give them a bit of a wash. This is where a magnetic screw driver really comes in handy. The magnetism will pick up the light steel components with relative ease.

Step Five: Spin the bearings.

What this does is gets any excess remover out of the bearing. It will also show you if there is more dirt and grime to get out of the bearing. When you spin the bearing you should not feel any vibrations. Vibration means friction which means you still have dirt that is obstructing the shafts smooth surface. Repeat steps 3 to 5 until there is no more vibration. If after several cleans there is still vibration the bearing itself could be damaged then it is up to you whether you want to replace it or not.

Step Six: Lubricating the bearings.

As with the remover there are several different products that you can use to lubricate you bearings. WD-40 is just one. Most people will have a can already in the house, if not its very easy to get your hands on.

Squirt two very small amounts of WD-40 into opposite ends of the bearing. Then spin them to get rid of any excess.

Step Seven: Cleaning your wheels & Hangers. (Optional)

Now that your bearings are all clean it is a good time to give your wheels and hangers a good clean. Just take a wet cloth and run it around the wheel and inside. Then wrap the cloth around the hanger and clean off any other dirt there.

Step Eight: Putting the bearings back into the wheel.

Start by slipping a bearing over the point of a screw driver. If you use Built-in Bearings make sure the spacer is pointed away from the handle. This will ensure that it is pointed inward when pressing the bearing into the wheel.

Then insert the point of the screw drive through the wheel. Press the bearing into the wheel firmly. Roll the screw driver around to make sure you have an even fit with the wheel all the way around the bearing.

Step 9: Putting your wheels back on.

When putting your wheels on remember to put one of the washers on first.

Slide the wheel on. Then the other washer and finish with the nut. Tighten the nut as far as it will go
then loosen it no more then an 8th of a turn.

Finish by spinning all the wheels as hard as you can and see the improvement you get with clean bearings.

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Please keep in mind all information on this page is purely a guide, "DO NOT" attempt to build or ride your own board, the boards and equipment shown here have been made by professionals and are at competition level, make sure you have the correct equipment and safety gear before attempting to ride any board.

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