Longboard maintenance: keep your board riding tight for years
A longboard that rolls smoothly and turns crisply is almost always a well-maintained one. It takes little time and only a few tools. We build the boards ourselves, so we explain exactly how to adjust your trucks, clean your bearings, swap your bushings and keep your Hammond riding like new for years.
Why maintenance makes your longboard ride better
Every Hammond is built from 8 plies of Canadian maple, custom 70mm Surf Highway urethane wheels and Abec-5 (608ZZ) bearings. Good parts keep performing if you keep them clean and adjusted. Dirt in the bearings makes your ride sluggish, loose trucks feel vague, worn bushings steer unpredictably, and loose bolts wear out your deck. One T-tool and a few minutes after riding prevents all of it.
After every ride: the quick check
Wipe your board down with a slightly damp cloth after riding, then dry it. Use your T-tool to check that the truck and wheel bolts are still tight — riding vibration slowly loosens them. Brush the grip tape clean now and then with a stiff brush so it keeps its bite. This one-minute check prevents most problems.
Adjusting the trucks
The kingpin is the large nut in the centre of your truck and controls how tight or loose you steer. Always turn it with a T-tool and in small steps — no more than a quarter turn at a time. Tighter = more stability (great at speed and on descents), looser = smoother turns (great for carving and cruising). To test, stand on the board and lean lightly left and right. If the board springs back to centre on its own, it is set right. Never over-tighten the kingpin — it actually hinders steering.
Replacing the bushings
Bushings are the rubber parts in your trucks that control your turning — the shock absorbers of your board. Softer steers smoother (carving), harder steers more stable (speed). If they are cracked or squashed, replace them; they cannot be repaired. To swap: undo the kingpin nut, take the truck apart and lay the parts out in order. Fit the bottom washer and bushing, put the hanger back, then fit the top (tapered) bushing wide side down, with the washer over it. New bushings feel stiff for the first few rides, then give the most natural steering feel.
Wheels & axle nuts
Your 70mm Surf Highway wheels run on two bearings each, with a spacer between them. That spacer keeps the bearings square under sideways load — leave it in. Tighten the axle nut until the wheel has no sideways play but still spins freely. Too tight pinches the bearings; too loose creates play — and play destroys bearings, increases wheel wear and makes slides chattery.
Deck & grip tape
The 8-ply maple deck is made to be used. Small chips or hairline cracks on the nose or tail are normal and no cause for concern. Keep the grip tape clean with a stiff brush; dirt from your shoe soles reduces its grip over time. Check regularly that the deck bolts are tight — loose bolts shorten a deck’s life the fastest.
Storage & rain
Water is the biggest enemy of your trucks and bearings: moisture makes them rust and run rough. So don’t ride in the rain. If you do get caught out, strip and re-grease your bearings shortly after to prevent rust. Store your board indoors, dry and at a stable temperature — wood dislikes big swings in humidity or heat.
How to clean longboard bearings in 5 steps
Rough or sluggish bearings are the most common cause of a slow ride. Here is how to clean your Abec-5 608ZZ bearings — once or twice a year is enough unless you often ride in the wet.
1.Remove wheels and bearings
Undo the axle nuts with your T-tool and slide the wheels off the axle. Put each wheel half onto the axle and tilt it to pry the bearing out. Each wheel has two bearings — mind the spacers and speed rings, which are easy to lose.
2.Remove the shields
Gently pry the seal shield off each bearing with a pin or small screwdriver so you can reach the balls and the cage.
3.Soak and clean
Drop the bearings into a tub of degreaser, white spirit or alcohol and shake them well for about two minutes until all the dirt comes loose. Never use WD-40 — it dries the bearing out and attracts more dirt.
4.Dry thoroughly
Take the bearings out of the liquid and let them air dry for about 30 minutes; a hair dryer speeds this up. Never fit wet bearings — leftover moisture corrodes the inside.
5.Lubricate and refit
Add one small drop of synthetic bearing oil per bearing, press the shield back on, and refit the bearings into the wheel with the spacer between them. Tighten the axle nut until there is no play but the wheel spins freely.
Frequently asked questions about longboard maintenance
How often should I maintain my longboard?
Do a quick check after every ride (wipe down, check bolts) and look your board over properly every few weeks. Cleaning the bearings is only needed once or twice a year, unless you often ride in the wet. With a lot of riding, bushings last about six months.
How do I adjust my longboard trucks?
Turn the kingpin — the large nut in the centre of the truck — with a T-tool, in quarter-turn steps. Tighter gives more stability, looser gives smoother turns. Never over-tighten: it hinders steering.
Why does my longboard roll slowly?
Usually dirty bearings. Clean them using the steps above. If it still rolls rough, check that the axle nut is not too tight. Never use WD-40 to lubricate bearings.
Can I leave my longboard outside in the rain?
No. Water is the biggest enemy of your bearings and trucks and makes them rust. Store your board dry, indoors. If you do ride in the wet, strip and re-grease your bearings shortly after.
What tools do I need for longboard maintenance?
A T-tool for the kingpin, axle nuts and deck bolts, a small screwdriver or pin for the bearing shields, and degreaser plus synthetic bearing oil to clean your bearings. Nothing more.
Ready for a board that deserves this?
Every Hammond arrives complete and ride-ready — 8 plies of Canadian maple, 70mm Surf Highway wheels and Abec-5 bearings. Well maintained, it lasts for years.
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