How to Clean Longboard Bearings

Bearings sit inside the wheels and are what let them spin freely. Dirt, grit and moisture work their way in and make them rough and slow. Cleaning them is cheap, takes about half an hour, and can make an old board feel noticeably smoother.

What you will need

• A skate tool or wrench for the axle nuts
• Isopropyl alcohol or a bearing cleaner, and a small container with a lid
• A clean cloth or paper towels
• Bearing lubricant (made for bearings)
• Something thin to pop off the shields, if your bearings have removable ones

You can find skate tools and bearing care products through our bearings page.

Before you start

Work somewhere ventilated and away from flames, because alcohol and solvents are flammable. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin. Check your bearings first: some have shields that cannot be removed. Those cannot be deep cleaned, so wipe the outside and replace them when they wear out.

Step by step

1. Remove the wheels. Undo the axle nuts and slide the wheels off. Keep the washers and spacers in order.
2. Remove the bearings. Press the wheel onto the end of the axle and tilt it to lever each bearing out. A bearing tool makes this easier.
3. Remove the shields, if possible. Many bearings have a removable rubber shield you can lift off with a thin tool. Do not force a shield that is not designed to come off.
4. Soak and swirl. Put the bearings in a closed container with alcohol or cleaner and swirl for a minute or two. Use a clean tool, not your fingers, to move them.
5. Dry them completely. Let them air dry or blot them with a clean cloth. Any leftover moisture can cause rust.
6. Lubricate. Add a few drops of bearing lubricant. A little is plenty, because too much attracts dirt.
7. Refit the shields and spin. The bearing should spin freely and smoothly.
8. Reinstall. Press the bearings back into the wheels, fit the wheels on the axle with the spacers and washers, and tighten the nuts so the wheels spin freely without play.

What not to do

• Do not use water or soap and water. Most bearings are made of steel and will rust.
• Do not use WD-40 as a lubricant. It is a solvent and water displacer, not a long-lasting bearing lube.
• Do not use too much lube. It collects dirt and slows the bearing down.

How often?

There is no fixed schedule. Clean them when they start to sound gritty or spin slowly, or after riding in rain, dust or sand. Keeping the board dry and storing it indoors helps them last longer.

When to replace bearings

Replace bearings if they are still rough, noisy or slow after a proper clean and lube, if they have visible damage or play, or if they feel gritty when you spin them. Because they are inexpensive compared with the rest of the board, replacing them is often easier than trying to rescue a worn set.

Related guides

• How tight should longboard trucks be?
• Longboard wheels guide
• Track your service dates with the maintenance tracker.