Skateboard Truck Maintenance: Clean and Care to Prevent Wipeouts

Ever wonder if your skateboard trucks are sabotaging your ride? Let's dive into how proper maintenance can transform your skating and keep you rolling smoothly.

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Be honest—when was the last time you gave your trucks some real attention? 🤔 If you’re like I was, they’re probably the most overlooked part of your setup. I used to think as long as my deck was fresh and my wheels were spinning, I was good to go. But ignoring those metal bits under your feet? Big mistake.

You might be wondering, “Does truck maintanace even matter that much? Do I really need to keep them clean and maintained?” Trust me, giving your trucks a little TLC can make a world of difference in how your board rides and, more importantly, how often you stay on it. So let’s dive into why truck maintenance is more crucial than you might think.

If you’re a visual learner, check out this video.

A video titled ‘When Should You Get New Skateboard Trucks? | Tactics‘ from the Tactics Boardshop YouTube channel.

Key takeaways

  • Regularly check and adjust the kingpin nut to maintain optimal turning response.
  • Replace worn bushings to improve board responsiveness and prevent unpredictability.
  • Keep your trucks clean and address issues immediately to extend their lifespan.
  • Proper truck maintenance enhances performance and safety, preventing unexpected wipeouts.

Understanding your skateboard trucks

First things first, let’s break down what’s going on under our feet. Knowing your truck’s anatomy helps spot issues before they wreck your session.

Skateboard truck maintenance: clean and care to prevent wipeoutsever wonder if your skateboard trucks are sabotaging your ride? Let's dive into how proper maintenance can transform your skating and keep you rolling smoothly.
Illustration of a man holding skateboard trucks.

Components of a skateboard truck

  • Baseplate: Bolts onto your deck with mounting hardware. It’s the foundation of your setup.
  • Hanger: The T-shaped piece that holds the axle and takes all the grind abuse.
  • Kingpin: The big bolt that keeps everything together.
  • Bushings: Those rubber cushions that let us turn smoothly. Bushings are like the shock absorbers of our skateboard, controlling how smoothly we turn.
  • Axle: Runs through the hanger; where your wheels chill.
  • Pivot Cup: The little socket where the hanger pivots inside the baseplate.

But why should we care about all these parts? Because each one affects how our board responds. Ignore them, and we might end up eating pavement. Curious about how to avoid injuries? Read The 10 Most Devastating Skateboard Injuries: Statistics Every Skater Needs to Know! and skate smarter and safer.

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Skateboard truck maintenance: clean and care to prevent wipeouts | idea icon | skateboard session

Tip: Regular maintenance saves money

By investing a little time in maintenance, you extend the life of your gear and avoid costly replacements. Trust me, your wallet will thank you.

🤙 My favorite bearings (at the moment)

Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings

5/5

My rating is based on my five-point ranking criteria checklist.

🤙 My favorite bearings (at the moment)

Bones REDS Skateboard Bearings

Not gonna lie—these are the best bearings I've bought because they are fast and cheap! I've never had any issues with them, and they're super inexpensive and smooth as hell.
  • High-speed
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  • Inexpensive
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Regular maintenance

Keeping our trucks in shape isn’t rocket science, but it does need some attention.

1. Clean your trucks regularly

Wipe down the trucks fends off rust and grime. Our gear lasts longer, and we look less like we’ve been skating through a mud pit.

2. Checking kingpin and tigent

Ever feel like your board has a mind of its own, steering you into walls or off curbs? That’s probably loose hardware messing with us.

  • Kingpin Nut Adjustment: I like to give my kingpin nut a tweak in quarter-turn increments to dial in that perfect feel. Too tight, and turning feels like steering a bus; too loose, and we’re wobbling like jelly.
  • Mounting Hardware Inspection: Those bolts holding our trucks to the deck? They loosen over time. A quick tighten can save us from the dreaded split-personality board—front truck going one way, back truck another.

But what if tightening doesn’t fix the wobble? Time to check out the bushings.

3. Bushing Care

Bushings might not get the spotlight, but they’re crucial. Bushings are like the heart of your turning system.

  • When to Replace Bushings: If they’re cracked, squashed, or just sad-looking, I swap ’em out. Worn bushings can make our board as unpredictable.
  • Upgrading Bushings: Matching bushings to our style makes a world of difference. Soft for carving and cruising, hard for stability when we’re hitting speed.

4. Pivot Cup Maintenance

Got a squeak that won’t quit? The pivot cup might be the culprit. A pivot cup is the little plastic cup that allows your hanger to pivot smoothly on the baseplate.

  • Eliminating Squeaks: I pop off the hanger, clean out the pivot cup, and press in some skate wax. Silence is golden.
  • When to Replace Pivot Cups: If the squeak persists or the trucks feel sloppy, it’s pivot cup o’clock.

Essential tools for maintenance

We don’t need a full toolbox to keep our trucks happy.

  • Must-Have Tools:
    • 9/16″ wrench for kingpin nuts.
    • 1/2″ wrench for axle nuts.
    • 3/8″ wrench for mounting hardware.
    • Phillips head screwdriver for, well, screws.
    • All-in-one skate tool—the Swiss Army knife for skaters.

Do we actually need all these tools? If we don’t wanna bum tools off strangers every session, then yeah, it’s a good idea.

Dos and don’ts of truck maintenance

Keeping your skateboard in top shape is crucial for both performance and safety. Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

Dos

  • Do regularly check and tighten all hardware.
  • Do replace worn-out bushings and pivot cups promptly.
  • Do clean your trucks to prevent rust and grime buildup.
  • Do use the right tools to avoid stripping bolts.
  • Do adjust your setup based on your skating style.

Don’ts

  • Don’t over-tighten your kingpin nut; it can hinder turning.
  • Don’t ignore squeaks and wobbles—they’re warning signs.
  • Don’t use any old wax; stick to skate wax for pivot cups.
  • Don’t skate in the rain; moisture ruins trucks and bearings.
  • Don’t mix and match incompatible truck components.

Signs it’s time to replace your trucks

Even the best gear doesn’t last forever.

  • Visible Damage: Cracks, bent axles, stripped kingpins—if we see these, it’s game over for the trucks. THis is a big one! Don’t use cracked trucks!
  • Performance Issues: If we’ve tried tightening, cleaning, and swapping parts, but the board still rides like a shopping cart, it’s time for new trucks.

Can we fix a cracked truck? Nope. If it’s cracked, it’s a goner; sorry. 😢

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

The main difference lies in the height between your deck and the ground. High trucks provide more clearance, ideal for carving and cruising, while low trucks offer better stability for flip tricks. Choose based on your skating style.

While it’s technically possible, its a bad Idea—I don’t recommend it.

Some skate shops offer recycling programs. Proper disposal helps reduce environmental impact and supports sustainability. Or just repurpose them. Use them for some art piece or something like that.

Yes, some companies manufacture trucks using sustainable materials or eco-friendly production methods. If environmental responsibility matters to you, look for brands that prioritize green initiatives.

Final thoughts

Keeping our trucks in top shape isn’t just about performance—it’s about staying safe. So, let’s take a few minutes to show our setup some love. Tighten those bolts, swap out janky bushings, and keep the ride smooth.

Don’t let something as small as a loose screw wreck your day. Keep the gear dialed in. Got your own maintenance tips or horror stories? Drop ’em in the comments. Let’s swap tales!

Image of jedain.
Written by Jedain Arron, Founder and writer

I'm Jedain, a 30-something-year-old dad rekindling my love for skateboarding. I've been skating since I was 13 back in New York City, took a long break for adulting, and now I'm back on the board.

This blog documents my journey back to the skatepark (creaky joints and all). Follow along as I relearn tricks, reconnect with the skate scene, and share the ups and downs of returning to the sport.

Nick eggert.
Edited by Nick Eggert, Editor

Nick is our staff editor and co-founder. He has a passion for writing, editing, and website development. His expertise lies in shaping content with precision and managing digital spaces with a keen eye for detail. When not working on the site, you can find him sipping Bourbon at the karaoke bar.

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