What You Need Before You Start
Replacing skateboard wheels takes about 15 minutes once you have the right tools. You will need a skate tool (a small metal device with a socket wrench on one end and a pry bar on the other), your new wheels, and optionally a rag to wipe off old grease. A skate tool costs $10 to $20 and works on almost every skateboard made. If you do not have one, a regular socket wrench that fits your axle nut and a flathead screwdriver will work, though less conveniently.
Before you buy new wheels, check what size and hardness your current ones are. Look at the side of your wheel — it will say something like "52mm 99a". The first number is diameter (larger wheels roll faster and handle rough ground better; smaller wheels are lighter and spin quicker). The second number is hardness (higher numbers like 99a are harder and slide easier; lower numbers like 78a are softer and grip better). Write these down so you can match them or choose intentionally different ones.
Key Takeaways
- You will remove the axle nut with a skate tool or socket wrench, slide the wheel off, and repeat on all four wheels — the order does not matter.
- When you slide a new wheel onto the axle, the bearing should sit flush against the wheel; if it sticks out, you installed it backward.
- Tighten the axle nut until the wheel spins freely but does not wobble side to side — too tight and it will bind, too loose and it will rattle.
- Rotate your wheels every few months by moving front wheels to the back and swapping left and right to make them wear evenly.
Remove the Old Wheels One at a Time
Start with the front left wheel. Place your skateboard on a flat surface with the grip tape facing up. Use your skate tool or socket wrench to loosen the axle nut on the outside of the wheel — turn it counterclockwise. You do not need to remove it completely yet; just loosen it enough that you can turn it by hand.
Once the nut is loose, use the pry bar end of your skate tool (or a flathead screwdriver) to pop the wheel off the axle. Slide it straight toward you. The bearing — a small metal ring inside the wheel — may come out with the wheel or stay on the axle. Either way is normal. Set the wheel aside and remove the axle nut completely. If the bearing stayed on the axle, remove it by hand or with the pry bar and set it next to the wheel.
Repeat this process on the other three wheels. Work one wheel at a time so you do not lose track of which nut goes where. Keep all four nuts in one place — they are the same size and interchangeable, but you want them together so you do not lose one.
Install the New Wheels and Bearings
Take your first new wheel and check that the bearing is seated inside it. If you removed bearings from the old wheels, you can reuse them — skateboard bearings last a long time unless they get wet or damaged. If the bearing is not in the new wheel, press it in by hand or tap it gently with a rubber mallet until it sits flush. The bearing should not stick out past the wheel's inner surface.
Slide the wheel onto the axle with the bearing facing inward (toward the skateboard). Push it on until it sits snug against the axle. The bearing should be flush with the wheel's inner edge; if it sticks out, you have the wheel on backward — flip it around. Thread the axle nut back on by hand first, then tighten it with your skate tool or socket wrench.
Repeat for the remaining three wheels. As you work, check each wheel to make sure the bearing is seated correctly before you tighten the nut.
Tighten the Axle Nuts to the Right Tension
This step is critical — too tight and your wheels will not spin; too loose and they will rattle and wear unevenly. Tighten the first axle nut until the wheel spins freely when you flick it with your finger. It should coast for at least two or three rotations. Then try to wiggle the wheel side to side — it should not move at all. If it wobbles, tighten the nut a quarter turn and test again.
The goal is a wheel that spins smoothly but has zero play. This usually takes three to five quarter-turns past hand-tight. If you overtighten and the wheel stops spinning freely, back off a quarter turn at a time until it spins again.
Tighten all four wheels the same way. Spin each one and wiggle it before moving to the next. Once all four are done, spin each wheel one more time to confirm they all move freely and coast for several rotations.
Test Your Board Before You Ride
Place your skateboard on the ground and push it gently. All four wheels should spin at roughly the same speed. If one wheel is noticeably slower, it may be overtightened — loosen it slightly. If one wheel wobbles, tighten it a bit more. Roll the board in a straight line and listen — you should hear a smooth rolling sound, not a grinding or clicking noise.
Push off and ride for a minute on flat ground to feel how the new wheels perform. New wheels often feel slightly different from worn ones — they may grip more or roll faster depending on the hardness and size you chose. This is normal and will feel natural after a few rides.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common error is installing the wheel backward — the bearing goes on the inside, facing the skateboard. If your wheel does not spin freely after tightening, check this first. Another mistake is overtightening the axle nut. Remember that you are aiming for free spin plus zero wobble, not maximum tightness. Wheels that bind will wear out fast and make your board feel sluggish.
A third mistake is forgetting to remove the old bearing before installing a new wheel. If you leave a bearing on the axle and slide a new wheel on top of it, the wheel will sit too far out and the nut will not tighten properly. Always remove the old bearing and set it aside before installing the new wheel.
Finally, do not lose your axle nuts. They are small and straightforward to misplace. Keep them together in a cup or small container as you work, and count them before you start — you should have four.
When to Rotate or Replace Wheels Again
Skateboard wheels wear unevenly because you put more weight on your back foot when you ride. Every few months, rotate your wheels to extend their life: move the front left wheel to the back right position, the front right to the back left, the back left to the front right, and the back right to the front left. This is called a "cross rotation" and it makes wheels wear more evenly.
You will know it is time to replace wheels when they become noticeably smaller (you can see the wear by comparing them to a new wheel), when they develop flat spots or chunks, or when they no longer roll smoothly. Some skaters replace wheels every few months; others go a year or more depending on how often they ride and what surface they ride on. Rough pavement wears wheels faster than smooth concrete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reuse my old bearings on new wheels?
Yes, bearings last a long time if they stay dry and are not damaged. Remove them from your old wheels, wipe them clean with a dry rag, and press them into your new wheels. If a bearing is rusty, makes grinding sounds, or does not spin freely, replace it — new bearings cost $5 to $15 for a set of four.
What if my axle nut keeps coming loose while I ride?
This usually means you did not tighten it enough, or the nut itself is worn and no longer grips the axle. Tighten it again, making sure the wheel still spins freely. If it keeps loosening, the nut may be stripped — buy a replacement axle nut (they cost $1 to $3) and install it the same way.
Do I have to replace all four wheels at once?
No. You can replace one wheel or two wheels if only some are worn out. However, replacing all four at once means they will all wear at the same rate going forward, which makes future rotations more effective.
How tight should the axle nut be?
Tight enough that the wheel does not wobble side to side, but loose enough that it spins freely for several rotations when you flick it. If you can spin the wheel with one finger and it coasts smoothly, the tension is right. This usually feels like a snug fit with no play.
What size wheels should I buy?
Match your old wheel size unless you want a specific change. Larger wheels (54mm to 60mm) roll faster and handle rough ground better. Smaller wheels (48mm to 52mm) are lighter and easier to flip. Harder wheels (99a to 101a) slide and grind better. Softer wheels (78a to 95a) grip better and are more comfortable on rough pavement.