How Tight or Loose Should Skateboard Trucks Be? - Beginners' Guide ⋆ Skate Newswire (2024)

Not only the riding and doing tricks on a skateboard is fun, but the installation of its part is also exciting.

The structure of the skateboard is amazing as it will not only provide you with entertainment but also will let you understand how skateboards are made.

Just like other parts, the trucks of a skateboard are easy to install too so in this article we will talk about How to Install Skateboard trucks.

The installation process will let you learn and understand what steps to take to get trucks and ride the way you want.

Joining different skateboard parts together and making them ready for riding makes it more reliable for riding.

This is because you would know what joint you have made and how strong they are.

We have prepared this page to teach you the correct and easiest way of installing skateboard trucks on the skateboard.

Make sure you understand every step with proper understanding and have the right tools with you.

The whole process will only take around 25 minutes.

Furthermore, very few instruments are needed for proper installation, so you should not be worried about the tools.

How to Install Skateboard Trucks?

This installation of trucks on a skateboard method is the most effortless procedure that does not require many tools and can easily be performed within 20 minutes.

1. Assembling and Making the Truck Ready To Install

First, collect all the tools you need for the installation process.

Some of the necessary items are mentioned in further detail, which you should have before initiating the installation process.

Keep in mind that each skateboard will need two trucks.

There will be two wheels on each truck.

There is one hanger and one kingpin in each truck.

If you look into the further details, you will see two bushings, two washers, and one nut in each kingpin.

Some of the brands are manufacturing skateboards in which the trucks already contain assembled kingpins and hangers-on.

Now what you need to do is purchase a good quality washer, nuts, bolts, and bushings.

These things are readily available in the market, or you can also look for online purchases.

Now looking at the truck’s baseplate, it contains six holes of different sizes.

Four holes are comparatively smaller and constructed explicitly for bolts and nuts when attaching the bolt and base plate.

The two remaining holes are made for kingpins and hangers and are relatively more significant than the other four.

Now begin the assembling of the truck by sliding the hanger in the larger.

Try both holes but settle it in the one where it gets fixed.

Keep in mind to hold the hanger properly before you secure and tighten it with a kingpin.

Now you need to take the kingpin in your hand and look for the hole in the hanger.

Make sure not to push or force but slightly and smoothly enter the kingpin into this hanger hole and reach the second hole of the base plate.

You will also need a bushing and washer to thread from both sides of the hanger to assemble the kingpin.

Now you have to focus on the ends of the kingpin.

You need to take the washer and bushing in your hand and slide them into both ends individually.

After tightening and assembling all of these four tools in your kingpin, now it’s time to attach the kingpin to the base plate.

This is conveniently done by sliding it into the holes on the base plate.

Take a kingpin and locate it on the kingpin.

Tight this nut with the help of a wrench or a skate tool with you.

Make sure not to tighten them more than needed and not to leave them loose too.

This is important because in case you have pulled the kingpin nut very tightly, it will damage your board.

And thus the bushing will need replacement later on.

Follow the exact instructions mentioned above for assembling the second truck before installation.

Do not skip any step, as if your trucks are not correctly built; they will not be installed appropriately.

2. Installation of the Trucks on the Skateboard

You first need to make the holes in the new grip tape and, for this purpose, make use of something sharp-edged.

You can take a screwdriver for this purpose and poke eight holes in your grip tape.

This will take only a few seconds because the holes are already there on the board.

You only need to slide the sharp object which you have taken from the side of the board towards the tape so that it will get holes in it.

This step is only for installing trucks on the new skateboard; otherwise, if you have an old skateboard and you are installing new trucks, then the holes would be present there already.

Make the holes just the way your board contains.

Your skateboard comprises two sets of four holes in them.

Initiate the process of joining the trucks with the board by inserting four bolts on one side of 4 holes from the top side of the board and four bolts on the other side of 4 holes.

Push them properly.

Push them the way you can see them if you turn the board upside down.

Remember to hold the board with one hand in case you are flipping it and checking it.

Now stick the bolts which are slid into the base plate from the small holes.

Remember and keep in mind that the kingpin side of the truck should be facing the inner side of the skateboard, and the hanger side should be facing the outside of the board.

Safely hold the base plate of the board and trucks in their places and put four nuts over four bolts.

Hold both nuts and bolts in their positions using recommended tools and then move one device by holding the other in its place tightly.

Tighten them but make sure not to tighten them more than the required force because if you have pulled them more than needed, it will break the board.

Repeat the similar process of installing the trucks on the skateboard with the exact instructions mentioned above.

Make sure you do not skip any option and always check that in the end, both of the sides of the trucks that contain kingpins are facing each other.

FAQs

Which way do you install skateboard trucks?

Make sure you install the trucks on the skateboard so that both bushing and kingpin face each other from inwards.

Remember to tighten the nuts and screws together slightly.

This will help you hold the trucks and the board in one place before you finally pull them.

And in this way, you will not feel any difficulty installing the skateboard trucks.

Why is my skateboard turning the wrong way?

This is possible in case you had tightened the bushings more than required when you were installing the truck in the initial stages.

You can fix this issue by assembling the bushings or replacing them with a good-quality ones.

Moreover, it’s not necessary to get a new bushing each time.

Instead, you can lose them a little if they are tight and use your skateboard.

Do you need speed washers?

Yes, these are essential tools that should be present in your skateboard.

This is because the primary purpose of a speed washer is to increase and enhance the speed and enhance the longevity of the bearings.

It is done by minimizing the friction between the hanger and the axle nuts.

Furthermore, speed washers help block the passage of dirt and dust to reach your bearings as this dust and dirt can affect the functioning of the trucks and wheels.

Conclusion

Skateboarding becomes more adventurous when you install the board on your own.

Installation of the skateboards involves not only installing tires on the board but also the proper installation of the trucks.

The aggregate installation of the trucks is essential because your board is based on the trucks, and if the trucks are not adequately placed, it means that your board is not stable and safe.

Before installing the trucks on your board, make sure you learn the proper procedure and follow it as it is.

The above-mentioned article contains the details of installing a truck on your skateboard and a step-by-step guide.

Make sure you understand the procedure correctly.

It will help you in assembling the trucks and installing them both.

Please do not skip any step as it will be dangerous for you as skipping a step affects the installation of the trucks.