removing rollerblade bearings

[Frost]

well, i received my twisters, and they are great, but i want to rocker the wheels. apparently, i can't remove the bearings from the wheel with a screwdriver like i used to when i last skated well over a decade ago. anyone have any suggestions? i noticed rollerblade sells some three sided scam of a tool, but i have no use for two of the three sides of that tool. any suggestions are appreciated.

[Davey_Speedstar]

You need a bearing pusher (you can bash the bearing ut with an allen key but generally you'll dent & damage them i the process.

This is a really useful piece of kit. I find mine good for self-assembly flat packs as well as general skate-maintainance

[Rink Rat]

The three-sided tool is very useful because you can pull out your bearings with one "side," as well as loosen/tighten your axles with another. It also gives you a more solid connection and more torque than the long, skinny tools that come with some skates (for axle screws). I have Twisters, too, and recommend this simple tool for what you want to do.

[BWI-Sheldon]

Gee how do I explain this.

Take the thick side that fits into the bearing perfectly. Insert into the bearing and start to put sideways pressure on the bearing as you pull it outward.

I hope that makes sense. You have the right tool.

[jneane]

Originally Posted by Frost

well, i received my twisters, and they are great, but i want to rocker the wheels. apparently, i can't remove the bearings from the wheel with a screwdriver like i used to when i last skated well over a decade ago. anyone have any suggestions? i noticed rollerblade sells some three sided scam of a tool, but i have no use for two of the three sides of that tool. any suggestions are appreciated.

Question for you.... I have Twisters also, what size of wheels for "rockering", I still have the 76mm on them, and where to get the wheels, or should I keep them like it is until I am more comfortable on them. I have heard people say that "Hyper Concrete + grip, are the best wheels" but who sells them in the US?

[Rink Rat]

Standard "banana" rockering is 72-76-76-72. The Hypers are hard to find, and probably not available in the U.S. But I'll defer to the hardcore U.S. freestyle folks for other suggestions. You can tap into their sick minds at...

http://www.freestyleskaters.org/forum/

[jneane]

Originally Posted by Rink Rat

Standard "banana" rockering is 72-76-76-72. The Hypers are hard to find, and probably not available in the U.S. But I'll defer to the hardcore U.S. freestyle folks for other suggestions. You can tap into their sick minds at...

http://www.freestyleskaters.org/forum/

hehe Thanks Rinkrat! I have been over there also, but haven't asked about the wheels.

[Skate50]

Frost,

I spend 2 hours a day on my twisters and run through a full set of wheels every month.

The three sided tool is a must have. I rotate my wheels every day, so I use the tool to pull the axles eight times a day. The triangle shape makes spinning the axles in and out a breeze.

For the rocker, I like 76-80-80-76. Because I run through the wheels so fast, I am not very particular about the rocker as long as there is approximately 4mm difference. Besides, the wheels wear down quickly, the toe and heels wear faster than the centers, and the rocker will change as a result.

The 72mm and 76mm wheels may be more readily available and cheaper than the 80mm.

I skate on concrete and like the Labeda shooters hockey wheels, They are slightly thicker than most, they last long enough, they don't blow out like soft wheels, they grip well, and they are cheap. (Less than $4.00 ea.) However, they are as ugly as sin - dark purple.

I wear out the wheels because I spend about an hour doing an intense workout before practicing the slalom moves. If you are just practicing slalom moves, you can spend more on your wheels and get a just the right size rocker, color, etc.

Get the skate tool, buy some 80mm wheels, put them in the center. You can do this twice with original twister wheels. (Use the blunt end of the tool to pry out the bearings and press them in.) When you wear out these two sets, you will know all you need to know about wheels etc. You may also want to buy an extra set of moderately priced bearings.

Put your skates on!
- Skate 50

[denni]

Originally Posted by Davey_Speedstar

You need a bearing pusher (you can bash the bearing ut with an allen key but generally you'll dent & damage them i the process.

This is a really useful piece of kit. I find mine good for self-assembly flat packs as well as general skate-maintainance

I totally just bought one of these. Thanks!

[Jennie]

As I cleaned my wheels and bearings today (and they REALLY needed it), I made a video. I remember trying to get the bearings out for the first time. It ended with me being fustrated, and a trip to the local sports equipment store.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojGz4p38Aq4

[jneane]

Originally Posted by Jennie

As I cleaned my wheels and bearings today (and they REALLY needed it), I made a video. I remember trying to get the bearings out for the first time. It ended with me being fustrated, and a trip to the local sports equipment store.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojGz4p38Aq4

Thanks Jennie, that helps me understand how to do that. Now I just need to get one of those tools. I will check Big 5 to see if they have one, that is the only sporting goods store next to me.

[Davey_Speedstar]

Originally Posted by Jennie

As I cleaned my wheels and bearings today (and they REALLY needed it), I made a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojGz4p38Aq4

I bet it took longer than 1:41 to put it all back together

[KeLLy]

does anyone actually bother cleaning bearrings?

[Rink Rat]

If you mean wiping them off occasionally, then yes. But if you mean taking them apart, cleaning and regreasing, then putting them back together, no way! That's too much like work, and I consider skating recreation. Besides, I replace bearings so seldom, it's not worth the time and effort to do real maintenance.

[Jennie]

I do try to clean my bearings, wheels, and frames at least once a month or more. It makes a huge difference in my skates' and my performance.

So Davey, you thought I couldn't do it. Removed them in 54 seconds and replaced them in 1 minute 21 seconds. Now what was that wager?

The cleaning part takes much longer, but I still do it. After soaking the bearings in cleaner, I dry then with a towel, and then spray with canned air, and grease.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_hyyxBnLz4

[Frost]

Thanks Jennie. Cool video.

I also appreciate the responses from everyone else as well. I think tomorrow I'll give it a shot again (and probably destroy my bearings in the process as well).

[KeLLy]

i don't bother cleaning them... i'll just buy new bearrings when needed (like once a year maybe).

I tend to not skate when it's wet - get's slippery anyway.

From what i read, the quality of your bearrings aren't that important to your skating.. like abec 5 or 7, doesn't matter much, except for speedskaters perhaps.

[Davey_Speedstar]

Originally Posted by Jennie

So Davey, you thought I couldn't do it. Removed them in 54 seconds and replaced them in 1 minute 21 seconds. Now what was that wager?

**D_S is suddenly very quiet**

[thesavo]

I just rockered my twisters. I too had an issue getting the bearings out of the OEM wheels. The spacers are different than I'm used to. It was shot, smooth, sleeve instead of being stepped. My 3-way tool didn't seem to work. I used a small Slotted screwdriver to push one out. I nicked the side shield on them. Is that something that just flatten out as they are used?

[thesavo]

Originally Posted by BWI-Sheldon

Gee how do I explain this.

Take the thick side that fits into the bearing perfectly. Insert into the bearing and start to put sideways pressure on the bearing as you pull it outward.

I hope that makes sense. You have the right tool.

Yes. It helped immensely.