How to Replace Inline Skate Wheels

The wheels on your roller blades are the components that wear out the fastest. Replacing them can often make your skates feel like new again. Fortunately, you can easily change the wheels yourself - Just follow this guide and you'll be back to skating in no time.

Required tool: Allen key or a skate-tool (For some skates, you might need two tools, one for each side of the wheel).

Use the tool on the bolt that secures the axle. In some cases, you will need two tools or Allen keys, as shown in the picture above. Once the bolt is loose, you can remove the axle and screw. Also, take out the old wheel from the frame.

This is a good time to clean the frame and the bearings. We recommend wiping off any dirt with a dry cloth from where the wheel was located.

Use a skate-tool or an Allen key to remove the bearings from the old wheel. If you plan to reuse the bearings in the new wheel, wipe off all dirt from the bearings with a dry cloth. You might also want to clean your bearings.

Read more: How to clean your bearings

Besides the bearings, there is also a spacer in the wheel. This spacer should be used in the new wheel as well (Please note that some skates have 2- or 3-part spacers).

Place the bearings and spacer into the new wheel. The bearings should fit tightly. (If the bearings do not fit tightly, the wheel may have play, which should be avoided. Find better wheels with a tighter hub if necessary.)

The new wheel is now ready to be installed. Place the new wheel in the empty spot in the frame.

Insert an axle through the wheel and attach the screw. Tighten the screw with the skate-tool. The screw should be quite tight, but not so tight that the wheel cannot rotate freely.

Repeat this procedure for all wheels. New wheels usually have a larger diameter than worn wheels. As a result, you will be able to skate faster, so be cautious the first time you use your skates after changing the wheels.