How to Fix a Broken Skateboard

Even if your skating spirit is unbreakable, your skateboard sure isn't. But whether your trucks are giving you trouble, or your latest nose grind left a crack in your deck, here's your skateboard maintenance survival guide. 

Tips To Fix A Broken Skateboard Deck

If you're doing tricks on a plank of wood, chances are, that plank is going to get cracked, chipped, unbalanced, or straight-up broken in half at one point or another. Here's how you can put the pieces back together and get back to skating.

 

If your deck is cracked or chipped:

1. First, remove your old grip tape with a hair dryer and a razor. You want a clean surface to work on.
   
   Watch the Rat Vision video below for a super easy, fast way to remove grip tape!
   
   

1. Use epoxy to close the crack, or fill your chip. (Don't have epoxy? You can get it for cheap at most hardware stores and art supply stores.)
   
   
2. Let the epoxied board dry for 24 hours.
   
   
3. Smooth the crack or chip with sandpaper.
   
   
4. Apply new grip tape.

 

If your deck is unbalanced:

If your board is suddenly turning without you telling it to, it might be unbalanced. To fix, tighten and loosen your kingpin (and test the ride after each adjustment!) until your board feels like it’s back on the right track.

Your deck is probably warped if it just ISN’T BALANCING, and you feel like you’ve tried everything, but it’s still out of whack.

If your deck is warped:

1. Remove your trucks and wheels from the deck.
2. Immerse your deck in water overnight. This will make the wood more pliable and easy to bend back into shape.
3. In the morning, take the deck out of the water, and place a flat, heavy object on top for 24 hours--think books, cement block, etc. You might also need to get some clamps involved, if you have them. 

For a more involved (but arguably more effective) strategy, watch Earthwing's video below:

Tips To Fix Skateboard Bearings

Are your bearings stuck? Did a bearing pop out? Are you still trying to get your bearings? (Sorry, bad joke.) Anyway. These simple tips will fix most of your bearing woes:

1. Remove the nuts that hold the wheels onto the board.
2. Carefully push a screwdriver through the middle of the bearings.
3. Apply bearing lubricant and pop them back in.
4. Reattach your wheels.

For even more guidance on fixing your skateboard bearings, watch Braille Skateboarding's super-helpful instructional video below!

Tips on Fixing Skateboard Trucks

Trucks not turning? Trucks too loose? Here are the truck removal steps you’re looking for:

1. Take off the kingpin nut with your crescent wrench
2. Pull off the washer.
3. Pull off the white rubber bushing.
4. Pull the hanger out of the pivot cup.
5. Add a little bit of bar soap to the pivot cup and reassemble.

For more visuals and even more tips, watch Spirit Longboarding's video on fixing squeaky skateboard trucks:

 

Conclusion

Whether your board needs a tiny tune-up or a larger fix, it's definitely within your capabilities. Apply these tips and you'll be rolling again in no time!

Skaters--any tips? How do you get your board back on track when it needs some TLC?

 

Additional resources:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+fix+squeaky+trucks/15981

http://brokeskate.com/category/skateboard-repair/