I have these skateboard wheels with bearings that have been used for FOREVER, they have probably been in these wheels for more than two years. And this skateboard has been left out in the open all of the time, so the bearings are really really dirty but not too rusted so I am going to try to use them in some different wheels. I have tried to get them out with a screwdriver and using the axel on one of my trucks, but it is so stuck in there with dirt probably that it makes it really difficult to get out, even when I apply a lot of pressure. I don't think it is physically possible for me to get it out with just human force, or maybe it's just me, idk, I have tried and tried and I've already broken one nail trying to get these stupid bearings out and I just want an easier way. What other things can I try to get them out of the wheels? I think they are still usable, probably they just need cleaning.
Removing Skateboard Bearings
Well on my skateboard, I took the wheels off and just hit the side of the wheel on something hard, like the edge of your bed and they popped out
any kind of lubercant and a good soak should make them slick enough to come out. if you do use something like wd-40 you'll have to make sure that you clean them good you don't want to have wd-40 on them it'll just make it more dirty. Some bearings are just naturally hard to get out of wheels, i've had this problem but i wasn't trying to save them so it just ruined them, they are probably still very usable just a good cleaning and some good lube will make them good again. If the axle things doesn't work and a screw driver doesn't work after you lube them up good then you're probably just out of luck and will need to just get new bearings. try to clean then wheels good to get most of that dirt out of there, a can of air will work good.
If you are going to wash the bearings properally then try putting the wheel and bearing in boiling water to soften the wheel, then get a bolt with a head that fits over the bearing but inside the wheel and hit it with a hammer, WD-40 helps to loosten them too, ideally you would need a press.....but i dun think you've got that. when pressing the bearing try to put the pressure on the innner race (the inner circle bit) as not to warp them. if they have been out in the weather for too long they might be buggered, soak them in some petrol for a while, and exercise them (spin them round) a bit, blow some air through them if you can, then oil them up with a really thin oil, there is also other stuff you can use to clean them, there might even be proper cleaning solutions, but petrol works well, or even turps. wear some gloves but, cos it can sting ya hands and it's not good for you.Just persist with the bearing mate, try not to twist it side to side in the wheel, cos that could get it stuck. Hope that helps.
