Is it bad if my skateboard squeaks? [Ultimate Guide]

It may seem trivial, but the sound of your skateboard can actually be a sign that something is wrong.

If your board is emitting a loud squeaking noise as you ride, it’s important to pay attention and determine what kind of issue could be causing it.

It might be an issue with the bearings or some other component of the skateboard so if that squeak is getting louder and more frequent, it might be time to take action.

In this article, we will discuss the possible causes of a squeaky skateboard and what you can do to fix it. Without any further ado, let’s dive in.

Is it bad if my skateboard squeaks?

Skateboarding is a great pastime as it provides an outlet of self-expression while also promoting personal health and wellbeing.

That being said, it’s important to understand if your skateboard is functioning properly and safely. If you find that your board is abnormally squeaky, that could indicate that something isn’t right with the bearings or wheels.

Squeaking can be a sign of imbalance caused by one wheel spinning slightly faster than the other, so if you want to keep riding safely and happily, it’s essential to take steps to remedy the issue like lightly lubricating the squeaky parts with penetrating oil.

What causes skateboards to squeak?

Skateboards have become increasingly popular ever since the beginning of modern skateboarding. It is not uncommon to see skateboarders taking a leisurely ride around town, or performing tricks in the skatepark.

But one sound associated with skateboards that can be particularly annoying is the squeak they make when riding. Have you ever been curious why skateboards tend to squeak?

It can be caused by many factors, and learning more about it can help us become better informed skaters and enjoy a more silent ride.

Wheels are Too Tight – If your wheel bearings are too tight, it can cause them to squeak as they spin. To fix this issue, use a skate tool to adjust the axle nut until the wheel stops squeaking. If you don’t have a skate tool handy, you can also try using a pair of pliers or even an adjustable wrench to loosen the nut slightly. Just make sure not to over-tighten it!  

Debris in Bearings – Another common cause of squeaky wheels is debris that has become lodged in the wheel bearings. A quick fix for this is to remove the bearings from the wheel and clean them with a cloth or brush. You can also use some rubbing alcohol or WD-40 if needed. 

Dry Bearings – If your wheel bearings are dry, they may start to squeak as they spin due to friction between the metal components. To lubricate dry bearings, you can use a few drops of bearing oil or 3-in-1 oil applied directly into each bearing and then spin each wheel for about 10 seconds so that the oil is evenly distributed throughout all parts of each wheel bearing before reassembling everything back together again.  

Poor Quality Bearings – Poor quality bearings can also cause squeaking sounds when spinning because they simply aren’t built well enough for high performance skating applications and thus won’t hold up under pressure like more expensive models will do. To fix this issue, consider replacing your current bearings with higher quality models such as Bones Reds or Zealous Swiss Bearings which offer superior stability and longevity compared with generic brands so that you won’t have to worry about squeaks ruining your ride any time soon!  

Bent Axles – Bent axles can also cause wheels to squeak when spinning because they put extra pressure on one side of the wheel which causes friction between the metal components as they rub against each other during rotation creating a loud noise that’s difficult not notice or ignore! To remedy this issue, simply replace any bent axles with new ones that are straight and properly aligned before reassembling everything back together again so that you’ll get smooth rides without any more unwanted noises interrupting your flow!  

Missing Spacers – Missing spacers from between two board trucks can also create friction between metal components causing wheels to squeak when spinning due to lack of proper spacing which results in increased pressure being put on one side of each wheel as it rotates creating more noise than usual! To solve this problem, make sure all necessary spacers are present before reassembling all parts back together again so that no extra pressure is created during rotation and there isn’t anything else hindering smooth rides anymore!  

Worn Out Bushings – Worn out bushings will also contribute towards increased friction between metal components resulting in louder than normal noises when spinning wheels due their lack of shock absorption capabilities needed for high performance skating activities! To avoid this issue altogether just make sure all bushings are replaced regularly according their intended lifespan so that there won’t be any unexpected surprises while riding like having noisy wheels interrupting otherwise smooth rides.

How do I make my skateboard stop squeaking?

Unfortunately, one of the less enjoyable aspects of skateboarding comes when the board squeaks as it rolls.

There’s nothing more annoying than a loud percussive screech as you are riding down the street. However, there are several steps that can be taken to make sure this sound stays in the past.

With some simple lubrication and tightening, you can get your skateboard rolling silently once again.

Tighten the trucks: The squeak might be coming from loose trucks, which can happen if you tighten the screws too much or too little. To fix this, unscrew the truck hardware and then retighten them to their appropriate torque settings with a wrench or Allen tool. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws – just make sure they are tight enough that they do not wobble or squeak when you ride your board. 

Lubricate the bearings: Another common cause of squeaks is dry bearings, which can be caused by riding in wet conditions or simply riding without lubrication for an extended period of time. To fix this issue, simply remove the bearings from the wheels and apply some light oil (such as WD-40) to all of their moving parts before putting them back on your skateboard wheels and tightening them up with a wrench or Allen tool. This should reduce any squeaking noises coming from your bearings. 

Check for loose hardware: If you’ve recently replaced any of the hardware on your skateboard (e.g., bushings, nuts and bolts), it’s possible that these parts may have become loose over time due to wear and tear or improper tightening when they were first installed. To check if any of these components need to be tightened up again, simply take off each one individually and inspect them closely for signs of wear/damage before reassembling everything correctly using a wrench or Allen tool. 

Clean out dirt/debris buildup: Dirt and debris buildup can also cause your board to start creaking or squeaking when ridden in certain conditions (e.g., wet weather). To combat this issue, you should periodically clean out any dirt/debris that has accumulated inside your trucks by removing them from your deck and wiping out any built-up gunk with a rag or brush before reattaching them in their correct position on the deck surface and tightening them up properly with a wrench or Allen tool). 

Grease up old bushings: Over time, bushings will start to break down due to regular use/abuse from skating which can result in loud squeaks as they rub against each other while turning/bending during tricks/maneuvers on the board surface below them! To fix this issue quickly and easily without needing to replace anything, simply apply some grease directly onto their topside surfaces using a cotton swab until they are completely saturated before putting everything back together this should stop those pesky squeaks right away.

Check for worn out parts: If none of these solutions work for you, it’s possible that either some of your skateboard components are worn out (e.g., wheels) – in which case replacing those components should do the trick; or else there could be something else wrong with either the deck itself (e.g warps). In which case more extensive repairs may need to be done by an experienced professional skater/mechanic who knows how to diagnose such issues accurately.

Enlist professional help: Finally if none of these tips work for you – don’t hesitate to enlist professional help by bringing your board into a local shop where experienced mechanics will be able to identify what is causing the noise & provide advice on how best to fix it once & for all so that you can enjoy riding again without worrying about irritating squeeks & creaks every time you push off.

Conclusion

Whether or not it is “bad” that your skateboard squeaks really depends on why it is squeaking. Is it because the wheels need to be tightened?

If so, then you definitely don’t want to let that go as loose wheel bearings can cause serious performance and safety issues.

On the other hand, if the squeak is just coming from old bearings in need of a change, then this isn’t necessarily an urgent problem but should still be addressed soon.

If you are unsure of the source of the squeak, then it’s best to take your board to a professional who can diagnose the issue and give an expert opinion on how to proceed.