Rollerblade Bearings

 

How to Change Rollerblade Bearings

1
       Remove the wheels. Use the fitted hex key wrench to loosen and remove the axle pin screws from the center of each wheel. Pull the axles out from the opposite sides. Take the wheels off the skate runners.

 

2 
        Look for a bearing spacer between the two bearing housings on a wheel. Peer into the hole in a bearing. There is a spacer present if the center is a solid tube. There is no spacer if you can see a gap between the bearing disks. Follow steps 3 and 4 to remove bearings with spacers. Go to step 5 if no spacer is present.

3

         Use the bearing pusher on a Rollerblade tool to force out the spacer sleeve and one bearing, or set the end of a cylindrical wooden dowel with a 3/8 inch diameter against the center of the inner bearing. The inner bearing has a 3/8 inch measurement that the thin sleeve of the spacer fits inside. A dowel with this measurement can push the spacer through. Lay the wheel on its side with the bearing off the edge of a table or workbench. Tap the dowel against the spacer with a hammer until the bottom bearing falls out through the underside. The spacer will be attached to this bearing.

 

4

          Flip the wheel and hold it firmly against a flat surface. Pry the remaining bearing out with a slotted screwdriver. Insert the head into the center opening and force the handle down to pop the ring out.

 

5

          Remove bearings without spacers using a slotted screwdriver. Insert the flat screw driver head into the center hole of the bearing. Firmly hold the wheel against a flat surface. Pry out the bearing by pushing down on the screwdriver handle until the disk pops out. Flip the wheel and repeat this process to remove the other bearing.

 

6

           Install the new bearings. Set a bearing disk over the slot in the center of the wheel. Hold the wheel in both hands and push the ring firmly into the seat with your thumbs. Use a nickel for flat support if needed. Flip the wheel and install the spacer if applicable. Push the end of the spacer sleeve into the bearing center from the opposite side of the wheel. Place the other bearing over the seat, and into the spacer sleeve if there is one. Push the disk into place with thumbs, using a flat support if desired.