Ever wonder how to take trucks off a skateboard? It’s not as easy as it sounds. The first step is to hold the board at an angle with one hand and place your other hand on top of the truck. Next, use your bottom hand to push down on the top of the truck while pulling up with your other arm.
Once you have successfully removed one truck from its respective bolt, repeat these steps for each remaining truck until all are taken off. To make sure that this process goes smoothly, it might be best for someone else to hold onto both ends of the board while doing this.
We hope that this article has been helpful in giving you some advice about taking trucks off a skateboard!
Guide to take the trucks off from skateboard
1. Preparation
To be able to take your trucks off, you have to hold the board. For a quick and easy procedure, we recommend using a skateboard truck tool. This can be purchased in most skate shops or found in many online stores.
With this, however, you will need some more tools that are not mandatory but handier when it comes to the process of taking trucks off.
A skateboard with grip tape will have to be flipped over so that the underside is facing upwards. If your board does not have any grip tape at all, you can just leave it in this position.
2. Remove The Nuts
As we mentioned before, you will have to remove the nuts that hold your trucks in place. This is required for them to be able to come off. Generally, most boards use a combination of bolts and washers with each truck. The key here is not to over-tighten or under-tighten these.
If they are too loose, they will not be able to support the weight of your board. If they are too tight and you attempt to take them off, you could potentially damage the nuts or bolts and end up having to replace some or all of them.
3. Take The Trucks Off
After you have successfully taken out the nuts, it is time to take your trucks off. The first thing that you need to do is hold the board at an angle with one hand and place your other hand on top of the truck itself.
Next, use your bottom hand to push down on the top of the truck while pulling up with your other arm. If you are successful, the truck should start to come off. Do not worry if this is a bit challenging at first because it does take some practice! However, with patience and persistence, you will be able to do it in no time.
4. Remove The Screws
Even though you have successfully gotten both trucks off, you still have to remove the screws that hold the board together. This may require a bit more practice but should not be too difficult. The best way to do this is to use a skateboard screwdriver and work it between the deck and your truck until it can fit no further.
Do not force it to go in further than this as it could potentially damage the board itself. If you are having trouble getting your screwdriver into place or feel that you may damage something, ask for help from someone who is more experienced with this part of the process.
5. Reinstalling The Trucks
When it comes time to replace your trucks, there are a few things that you need to be mindful of. Firstly, make sure that the board is lined up where you want it to be. Next, press down on your trucks until they reach about halfway through the nuts. Lastly, tighten each nut with your screwdriver and make sure that you are satisfied with where your trucks are before doing so.
One thing to keep in mind is that after the trucks have been replaced, it takes a few days for them to get used to being there again. They can loosen up over time but should not pose too much of an issue if you do tighten them fully. If you really think that it is necessary, you can always tighten them again after a period of time.
FAQs
How Tight Should Trucks Be On A Skateboard?
Generally, trucks on a skateboard should not be too tight or too loose. This means that you should ideally never have to use tools such as a screwdriver to tighten your trucks up if they become loose.
If this is the case, it might be time for you to replace them with newer ones!
If you find that your trucks are too tight and you cannot remove them without the help of a screwdriver, we suggest loosening them up.
Generally, it is best to not put too much pressure on your board and assume that it will do the job well enough. You can always tighten them if needed but it is difficult to loosen them up if they are too tight.
What Can You Use Instead Of A Skate Tool?
There are a few things that you can use as an alternative if you do not have a skate tool. One option is to use pliers and wrench the other is to wrap your trucks with a towel before attempting to loosen them up. Neither of these options will work as well as a proper skate tool but they serve their purpose in extremities.
Conclusion
If you take your time and follow all of the steps in this guide, we are confident that you will be able to successfully take your trucks off a skateboard. It does require some patience and practice to do so but with the right tools and enough determination, it is possible for basically anyone to do it!