How to Remove Skateboard Bearings
Whether you're cleaning your bearings, replacing them, or swapping setups, knowing how to remove skateboard bearings properly can save you from damaging your gear. The good news, there’s more than one way to get the job done.
We’ll walk through three easy methods:
- Using a bearing press (recommended)
- Using a bearing puller tool
- The classic truck method
Method 1: Using a Bearing Press (Recommended)
If you’ve got a bearing press, this is by far the safest and easiest way to remove bearings without risking damage to your wheels or cores.
How to do it:
- Insert the removal shaft of your bearing press into the bearing
- Make sure it’s hooked securely on the bearing
- Use the lever to pull straight out with steady pressure
- Repeat for the second bearing on the other side
Why this works best:
A bearing press is designed specifically for this job, so it applies even force and minimizes the risk of cracking your wheel core or bending anything.
Watch a live demonstration here
Method 2: Using a Bearing Puller Tool (Bones Tool)
A bearing puller, like the Bones tool, is another super clean and effective option, especially if you don’t have a full press.
How to do it:
- Insert the puller into the bearing until it grips the inner race
- Gently wiggle and pull outward
- The bearing should slide out with minimal effort
- Repeat on the other side
Pro tip:
Don’t yank—steady, controlled pressure works better and keeps everything intact.
Method 3: The Truck Method (Old School)
No tools? No problem. This is the classic method most skaters learn first.
How to do it:
- Take your wheel off the axle
- Slide the wheel back on just enough so the axle sits inside the bearing
- Angle the wheel slightly
- Use the truck as a lever to pry the bearing out
- Flip the wheel and repeat for the other side
Be careful:
This method works, but it’s easier to damage your bearings or wheel cores if you use too much force or pry at a bad angle.
Watch a live demonstration here
Final Thoughts
If you’re working on your setup regularly, investing in a bearing press or puller tool is 100% worth it. They make the process faster, cleaner, and way less risky.
That said, if you’re in a pinch, the truck method will always get the job done, just take your time and don’t force it.