Is your skateboard squeaking like a rusty hinge? Are the noises throwing you off your game and drawing bemused stares?
The good news is that squeaky skateboards are relatively common and they are something that every skater deals with at some time or another. The bad news is that the fix might be a little more complicated than a quick squirt of lube.
Why Is My Skateboard Squeaking?
There are several reasons why your skateboard might be squeaking or making some other irritating noise. It typically comes down to the following parts:
- Bushings
- Pivot Cups
- Raiser Pads
- Wheels
- Base Plate
Let’s address each of these and see if we can find the source of the squeak!
Squeaky Bushings
Most of the time, annoying squeaky noises are caused by your bushings. These tiny but important parts can become crushed or worn and this may affect their performance and cause them to emit an irritating noise.
Remove the kingpin nut and take out the bushings.
Check for damage, including cracks, and see if they are crushed. If you notice any issues, you’re going to need some new bushings. If not, simply wax and lubricate them before re-fitting them.
Squeaky Bearings
If your skateboard is still making an annoying noise after checking the bushings, the bearings could be to blame.
Bearings have a limited lifespan and that lifespan will be significantly less if you skate in wet conditions.
Bearings can be cleaned and lubricated to reduce issues. A silicone-based lubricant or a simple oil (including olive oil) will provide some cheap lubrication. You can also buy some specially made lubricants from your local skate shop.
If you have had them for a long time, consider replacing them.
Bearings are fairly cheap (although there are more expensive options), but it’s still better to clean/fix whenever you can.
Loose Screws
If there are loose screws causing the noise, you’ll typically hear it when you lean. This is an easy fix, as you simply need to get out your skate tool and start tightening the nuts and bolts.
Pivot Cup Problems
Wear and tear to your pivot cup could also cause squeaky noises. To check for damage to your pivot cup, simply remove the kingpin nut, take out the hanger, and then remove the pivot cup.
As with bushings, you should look for general wear and tear, as well as splits and cracks.
If there are no issues, clean it with some simple bar soap, add some wax or lubricant, and replace it. If that doesn’t fix the squeaky noise, try one of the other methods listed in this guide.
Why Do I Have Squeaky Wheels?
If your wheels are emitting a squeaky sound, it’s probably coming from the bearings.
Simply take the bearings out and clean them. They can attract dirt and moisture and this may degrade them over time. Not only will they squeak, but their performance could be affected.
If a clean and lube don’t help, buy some new bearings.
Wheels can also squeak as a result of flat spots. Not only will this produce an irritating noise when the skateboard is rolling at speed, but it could impact your grip.
Check your wheels for cracks, splits, flat spots, and other issues. Don’t ignore these problems and grab a set of wheels as soon as the old ones stop griping.
Why Do My Trucks Squeak?
If you have squeaky skateboard trucks, it’s probably a result of issues with the bushings or pivot cup, as noted above. They may just need a little cleaning (including liquid soap/bar soap) and some lubrication.
Is It Normal for a Skateboard to Squeak?
This issue is very common and can happen with street skateboards and longboards. It doesn’t matter how expensive the skateboard was, there will come a time when it starts to emit some kind of annoying noise.
It’s your skateboard’s way of telling you that something needs to be cleaned, lubricated, or changed.
And if the problems persist, worsen, and start to impact performance, that’s its way of saying, “I’m done. Buy a new skateboard”.
Fortunately, you can ignore most of these complaints by just buying new parts and taking good care of your skateboard.
