Guide to Fitting Bearings in a Scooter Wheel

This guide will teach you how to install and remove bearings in wheels with a metal core, commonly used in scooters, without any special tools.

If you've ever fitted bearings in skate wheels, you'll know it's a fairly simple task. The bearings are pressed in by hand and can be easily taken out using a normal skate tool. This ease is due to skate wheels usually having a plastic core. However, the process differs for scooter wheels. These wheels have a metal core, making it more challenging to fit the bearings as the metal does not flex at all.

Therefore, when fitting or removing bearings from your scooter wheels with a metal core, you'll require some tools. Specialised tools are available but can be costly, so we offer a method to do it without them. Nevertheless, we always suggest using high-quality professional tools as not doing so might harm the bearings during the process.

Fitting Bearings in Wheels with a Metal Core

Tools required:

• Axle bolt with screw
• 5 extra or old bearings
• Hex key

Steps to fit your bearings:

1. Press the bearings uniformly into the core of the wheel using an axle bolt and five extra or old bearings. This reduces any potential damage to the bearings.
2. If the bearings are too snug, employ a metal washer (minimum diameter of 22 mm) on both sides of the bearings. The washers evenly distribute pressure, lessening the chance of damaging the bearings.

Removing Bearings from Wheels with a Metal Core

Tools required:

• Axle bolt
• Hammer

Steps to remove your bearings:

1. Initially, centre the spacer (found between the bearings) so that the axle cannot pass through.
2. Employ your hammer to strike the axle (which should be positioned from side to side) to push the bearings out the other side.

Note: If your spacer is self-centred, there's a risk to the bearings when removing them.

In our video, we use a spacer without a flange (not self-centred), making it easier to remove the bearing while minimising damage.

If you're using a self-centred spacer, a screwdriver is needed to knock on the inner ring of the bearing all the way around it to remove it. This method can easily damage the bearings.

Read our guide Buying bearings to discover everything you need to know about bearings.