Tightening your skateboard trucks is probably the single most important step in maintaining your skateboard. The truck is where your wheels securely attach to the skateboard, and it’s also a key pivot point. When your trucks are loose, they tend to wiggle as you ride. This can cause instability and even lead to loss of control if you’re skating downhill or trying to turn.
Loose trucks can also cause rubbing against the underside of your deck, which leads to chafing and eventual degrading of deck material over time. If you’ve never tightened your skateboard trucks before, then buckle up and read on. Today we’ll be taking you through the process of how to tighten skateboard trucks.
How to Tighten Skateboard Trucks?
Follow these instructions if you want to tighten your skateboard trucks.
- Start by removing the wheels from your skateboard. This will give you better access to the trucks and make the whole process easier.
- Once the wheels are off, take a look at the trucks. You’ll see that there are two main bolts holding each truck to the deck – these are called kingpins. The top bolt is longer than the bottom one, and both screws have a head-on them (usually Phillips or Allen).
- Using your skateboard tool or socket wrench, loosen the top kingpin nut by turning it counterclockwise. You don’t need to remove this nut entirely, just loosen it enough so that you can turn the top part of the truck.
- Now it’s time to adjust the trucks. The two main things you’re looking at here are the hanger (the part of the truck that holds the wheels) and the baseplate (the lower part of the truck that sits on top of the deck). You want to adjust these so that the hanger is perpendicular to the baseplate. This will give you the most stability and the best turning ability.
- Once you’ve got the trucks adjusted to your liking, it’s time to tighten everything back up. Start by tightening the top kingpin nut until it’s snug, but don’t over-tighten it – you just want it tight enough so that the hanger won’t move around.
- Finally, replace the wheels and enjoy your freshly tightened skateboard.
Why Do I Need to Tighten My Skateboard Trucks?
Tightening your skateboard trucks is important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it keeps you safe while skating. Loose trucks can cause instability and loss of control, which can lead to serious injury [1].
Second, it prolongs the life of your skateboard. When the trucks are loose, they tend to rub against the underside of the deck, causing chafing and eventual degradation of the deck material.
And last but not least, it simply makes for a better skating experience. When the trucks are loose, they don’t respond as well to turning and stopping – in other words, they just don’t work as well as they should. By tightening them up, you’ll get the most out of your skateboard.
What Are the Signs of a Loose Skateboard Trucks?
There are a few telltale signs that your skateboard trucks are in need of tightening. First, take a look at the trucks themselves. Are they wobbly or do they seem to move around a lot? If so, then they’re probably too loose.
The skateboard may not respond as smoothly as it should when you turn or stop. This is another sign. You should absolutely tighten up your trucks if you detect this because it might be really dangerous.
And lastly, if you see rub marks on the underside of your deck, that’s a sign that the trucks are rubbing against the deck and causing damage. This is something you want to avoid, so if you see this, it’s time to tighten those trucks.
How Often Should I Tighten My Skateboard Trucks?
As a general rule of thumb, you should tighten your trucks every few months or so. Of course, this will vary depending on how often you skate and how hard you ride. If you’re a heavy rider or you skate frequently, then you may need to tighten your trucks more often.
On the other hand, if you’re a light rider or you don’t skate often, then you can probably get away with tightening them less often. Just pay attention to how your skateboard feels – if the trucks feel loose, then it’s time to tighten them up.
Conclusion
Tightening your skateboard trucks is a relatively simple process that anyone can do. Just make sure you have the right tools, and take your time to adjust the trucks until they’re in the right position.
And remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution – so if you’re ever unsure, it’s always best to just go ahead and tighten the trucks. Better safe than sorry.
