SKATEBOARD Truck Bushings

  • Two rubbery rings that fit around the kingpin.
  • Responsible for the feel and performance of your trucks. 
  • Typically made of polyurethane.
  • All truck bushings are the same size.
  • Fit on any skateboard, longboard or cruiser.
TOP BUSHING
Helps the skateboard truck turn smoothly.
 
BOTTOM BUSHING
Bushing tightness depends on how responsive you want your trucks to be.
 
HARDER BUSHINGS
Provide more stability but less responsive turning.
 
SOFTER BUSHINGS
Allow for more fluid and responsive turning.

SKATEBOARD BUSHING SHAPE AND STYLE

SKATEBOARD Truck Bushings

1. CONE / BARREL BUSHINGS
  • All around shape used for riding.
  • Known as standard barrel or conventional bushings.
  • The most common shape for skateboard bushings.
  • Bottom bushing is barrel shaped to sit perfectly in its spot.
  • Cone-shape top allows more deck lean for carving.
2. DOUBLE BARREL BUSHINGS
  • Both the top and bottom bushings are barrel shaped.
  • Recommended bushing for downhill riding.
  • Superior stability at high speeds.
  • Allow for as much turn as a conical bushing.
3. CONE BUSHINGS
  • Top and bottom cone-shaped bushings.
  • High amount of deck lean.
  • Intended for sharp turns and carving.
4. DOUBLE STEPPED BUSHINGS
  • Similar to barrel shaped.
  • Make for very tight trucks.
  • Creates a lot of resistance.
5. BARREL / STEPPED BUSHINGS
  • Barrel shape on top and stepped shape on the bottom.
  • Creates a lot of stability in the trucks.
  • Give you lots of rebound.
  • GREAT for downhill longboarding.

GEARS RELATED TO SKATEBOARD BUSHINGS

1. BUSHINGS WASHERS

  • Sold in sets of four.
    (bottom washer, bottom bushing, bushing seat, top bushing, top washer, lock nut)
  • Installed by simply sliding them on the kingpin.
  • Round metal washers that fit under skateboard bushings on each truck.
  • Prevent the bushings from getting damaged by the pressure exerted on the trucks
  • Completely flat or cupped at the edges.
  • Should be the same shape as your bushings for the highest performance efficiency.
 SKATEBOARD Truck Bushings 
CUPPED WASHERS
Restrict bushing movement.
prevents the bushings from deforming or blowing out completely.
Provide higher resistance.
 
FLAT WASHERS
Allow the bushings more lateral slide.
Allow to stretch a bit more.
Provide low resistance.

    2. BUSHINGS SEATS

    • Support the bushings from damaging from too much pressure on the trucks.
    • Installed in the indented area around the truck hanger opening where the bushing sit.
    • Available in "open" and "restrictive" styles.
    • Should be the same shape as your bushings for the highest performance efficiency.
    OPEN BUSHING SEATS
    Seats do not sit as deep.
    Compress the bushing seat less.
    Produce less resistance.
     
    RESTRICTIVE BUSHING SEATS
    More enclosed and have taller walls.
    The bushings fit securely into them.

    STEPS FOR SKATEBOARD TRUCK BUSHINGS REPLACEMENT

    1. Use the skate tool to remove the kingpin nut and washer.
    2. Remove the skateboard wheel assembly.
    3. Pull off the used bushing from the base plate and slide on the new ones.
    4. Reinstall the wheel assembly, kingpin nut, and washer.