What are skateboard bushings? the beginner’s guide

The bushings are rubber rings made of a special material called polyurethane. These bushings are made for a special purpose, to navigate your skateboard. Different skateboards need bushings that suit them the best for an efficient and smooth ride!

To buy perfect, soft, and responsive bushings for your skateboards, you need to consider their size, durometer, type, style, shape, and various other factors that do count. Repairing and replacing them with new ones and maintaining their health is important, and here is the guide for you on how.

Components Of Bushings:

There are several important parts of a skateboard bushing is made of, and we have described these as under:

The Bushing Washer:

The bushing washer is an important component that prevents the bushings from being damaged or deformed when it bears some pressure. These washers are placed under the washers.

The bushing washers usually come in two shapes. The flat and curved ones and the flat bushing washers allow more movement, i.e., they are more flexible and stretchable; hence they are preferred over curved ones. The interesting thing is that we can simplify the bushing equation if we remove the washers from this bushing equation.

 The Skateboard Bushing Seats:

The skateboard bushing seats are specially designed to save the bushings from any compression. They come in two types mainly, open bushing seats and restrictive ones. The open bushing seats offer less compressibility.

The bushings with restrictive bushing seats fix tightly to allow more compressibility to the bushing seat. The tightness of this seat depends on the type of skateboard you are using and how you want to style it.

Hard and Soft Bushings:

The skateboard bushings come in various types; softer and stiffer bushings are two. The soft skateboard bushings offer less stability but allow you to move the skateboard more easily. The hard bushings provide more stability, but you may not be able to change the position of your skateboard that easily.

You can adjust the tightness of the bushings as per your likings and ease. Also, you can change or replace these bushings but remember that they start working properly after one or two days. So before replacing them with new ones, you should wait for two days at least.

How Do The Bushings Work?

The performance of a skateboard depends on the type of bushings it has. Mostly these bushings are made up of polyurethane. Low quality and high-quality bushings both are available in the market. When buying a new set of bushings, consider buying high-quality ones as they are more durable and reliable and provide you with a smooth and safe ride as well.

The bushings are of great importance as they act as a shock absorber, provide you with an extremely low friction ride, and are self-lubricating as well. They ensure low usage of your energy, noise, and wear.

Fitting in The Bushings:

Now, if you wonder how to put in or fix the bushings in your skateboard truck, we have got your back. It is not a big deal, and you can adjust the bottom bushing so that you may change its tightness.

It would be better to get harder bushings for downhill and stable rides. Also, it would help if you got softer bushings for more turning.

Buying The Right Bushings For Your Skateboard:

Various bushings are available in the market that comes in various sizes, types, and shapes. So one should remember when buying new bushings that not all types of bushings are suitable for your skateboards.

• 87A and 92A: The bushings with the hardness of 87A and 92A are for regular skateboards.
• 94A Bushings: If you use heavier skateboards, you should buy 94A bushings.
• Softer bushings: The softer bushings, 85A to 90A, are specially made for kids and people who ride loose trucks.

So, before getting new bushings, always prefer buying the ones that fit your skateboards the best because types of skateboards like longboards, cruisers, and downhill need different types of bushings. The downhill needs less responsive bushings, and the longboards need soft and more responsive ones.

Different Shapes Of Bushings

The bushing offerings by these bushing manufacturing companies are cool and creative. The truck bushings come in various shapes, and some important bushing shapes are described below:

The Cone-Shaped Bushings:

The cone-shaped bushings are good for longboards and cruisers skateboards as they are suitable for turning and carving. It has two sides, a wider one at the top and a narrow one at the bottom.

Due to their cone shape consisting of less polyurethane, hence provides you with greater deck lean. Remember another thing while getting bushings for your skateboards, the type of bushings is closely related to your body weight.

If your body weighs under 140 lbs, then go for durometer87A, and if your body weight is more than 140lbs, you should buy the bushings with a durometer of 93A.               

Cone-barrel shaped bushings:

This type of cone barrel bushings combines two bushings. The conical bushing is the most common type. The conical part of this cone barrel bushings arrangement allows you to turn the skateboard and the barrel-shaped part provides your skateboard with the stability it needs.

The cone bushings with this conical shape arrangement are often used for cruisers and longboard bushings. The hardness of these two parts may vary from each other for some of the skateboards like the harder barrel part will give more stability and a softer cone-shaped part for smoother moves.

The Barrel Bushings:

These bushings come in a barrel shape. The barrel-shaped bushings are the most suitable ones for regular skateboards and longboards. They are popular among riders because of:

• High-pressure surface
• Density
• High stability.

Also, if you are looking for bushings for high-speed rides,  you should go for the barrel-shaped ones as they will provide you with high speed and maintain stability.

The Double-Barrel Bushings:

The double-barrel bushings are of the same shape at the top and the bottom, the barrel-shaped. These barrel-shaped bushings are popular because they provide the riders with more stability of the skateboard. They have also termed downhill bushings as they do not restrict the downhill movements or rides.

The Hourglass Bushings:

These bushings have a shape of an hourglass. Due to their hourglass shape, they provide their riders with less stability and a leaning ride. They are:

• Leaning ride.
• Tall hourglass bushings with 0.75″ height.
• Less common.

Replacing My Skateboard Bushings:

If you are a real skateboard user or rider, you must be thinking about how long you should use the bushings and when to replace the stock bushings with the new ones. Your set of bushings must be long-lasting, but there comes a time you need to replace them.

It also depends on the rider and how he uses it. If your bushings are cracked or broken, you should change them and buy a new pair, of course. Please get the bushings of the same manufacturer as your skateboard because they will work best for it and suits its arrangement better.

Steps To Change The Bushings:

Now, if you wonder if I’ve got a new pair of bushings, how would I replace them with my old ones? Here is a simple guide on how you can do so:

Step 1:

First, remove the kingpin from the skateboards using a screw or any other suitable tool.

Step 2:

Now remove the old top washer, bushing, hangar, and then the washer, bushings, and hangar at the bottom side.

Step 3:

Now, place the new and smaller washings and bushings on the top.

Step 4:

Now finish it by keeping every part back in its place.

The Bushing Durometer:

The durometer refers to the hardness of the urethane that is used in the manufacturing of the bushings. The more the durometer, the greater is the hardness of the bushings, and the harder ones are better as they give your skateboard more stability.

The skateboards usually come with two types of durometer: A and B, ranging from a durometer scale of 0- to 100. Conventional bushings often have a high durometer. These durometers are classified as soft, medium, and hard. The cup washers keep the bushings joined and keep the skateboard tightened.

In the case of flat washers, the bushings are removed. Hence they provide a smoother ride and movement of your skateboard. Moreover, they are bigger and have less rebound than regular hose washers.

Maintaining The Health Of Skateboard Bushings:

Maintaining the health of your skateboard bushings is an important task, so you may not have to change them every then and now. Taking care of the bushings will help your skateboard bushings last longer and perform even better.

In case you do not know how to maintain your skateboard bushing in good condition, here we will tell you how you can do it in a simple yet better way:

It keeps the skateboards dry because the moisture will not treat the bolts, bearings, and bushings well. To keep your skateboard and its part dry, always try to keep it in a dry place and cover it when it is raining outside.

After every use and ride, try to tighten and fix the parts of your skateboard. As the nuts and bolts become loose, riding the skateboard can prove dangerous for you. Make sure to replace the old, cracked, broken, worn-out bushings with new ones for a smooth ride.

It would help if you cleaned the bearings of the skateboard every three months. It is advised because you cannot have a smooth ride when the bearings are covered with dirt. To clean the bearings, dip them in a container having alcohol for 30 seconds.

Remember to lubricate the bearings once in three months. First clean them, let them dry, and apply some drops of lubricant over the bearings.

Changing the grip tape is also helpful. Make sure to change it when it deteriorates. The grip tape does not come off that easily, so it is better to heat it and take it off using a knife or any other sharp tool.

The Best Bushings in The Market:

The bushings are one of the most important parts of a skateboard. We have provided you with all the necessary information about bushings, from their definition to their use, from buying it to maintaining it.

As you know, not all bushings are equally useful. So, now the question arises which bushing would be best for my skateboard trucks? How should I select the longboard bushings? So, here we will tell you how you can choose/buy the right bushings for your skateboard trucks!

Here is the list of all the features which you need to consider while buying the barrel bushings, cone bushings, soft cone bushings, hard bushings, or top bushing for your skateboard:

Suitability:

The rubber bushings are suitable for all types of vehicles. That is why it is suggested by the experts to buy them for your skateboard truck. They work wonders for noise and vibration reduction also.

Safety and Comfort:

The rubber skateboard bushings ensure the safety and comfort of the rider. It is because these skateboard bushings come up with a shock-absorbing property that protects their riders from accidents and injuries.

Minimized noise:

The rubber that is present over the shock absorbers of these overly soft bushings helps reduce the noise produced by vibration and minimizes the need for lubrication.

Advantage Of Using Rubber Bushings:

The rubber bushings are preferred to be used because it provides the riders with the following advantages:

Shock-absorbing property:

Let it be barrel and truck bushings, or stepped bushings, whatever type you are using, but if it is made of rubber, it will work wonders in shock-absorbing and protects the riders from accidents and severe injuries.

Buffering property:

The standard bushings made of rubber act as a buffer, some energy is produced when the two parts of these standard bushings. The rubber bushings absorb this energy, so termed as a buffer.

Lifespan:

Whenever a person spends money on something, he is always concerned about the durability and lifespan of the thing. People prefer buying these rubber skateboard bushings because they are long-lasting and durable.

The Feel:

A ride is all about the feeling it gives. The rubber bushings reduce the noise and vibration and absorb the shock, and that is why it gives you an amazing feel, a smooth and hassle-free ride.

Wide Application:

Another important reason why rubber bushings are preferred is their wide applications. If you buy a good pair of bushings, it’s not only for the skateboards, but it is also suitable for other vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I replace my skateboard bushings?

Replace your skateboard bushings when they show signs of reduced responsiveness, excessive wobbling, visible damage (cracks or tears), or a spongy/mushy feeling. Regular inspection and maintenance are recommended to determine when replacement is necessary.

What difference do bushings make?

Bushings play a crucial role in a skateboard’s performance by providing stability, responsiveness, and control. They act as a cushioning mechanism between the skateboard deck and trucks, allowing the board to turn smoothly while maintaining stability. The durometer (hardness) of the bushings affects how easily the skateboard turns and how much force is required to initiate a turn.

Softer bushings allow for more maneuverability and tighter turns, while harder bushings offer more stability and are better suited for higher speeds. Choosing the right bushings for your riding style and preferences can greatly impact your overall skateboarding experience.

What do different bushings do?

Different bushings provide various characteristics and affect the performance of your skateboard in different ways. Here’s a short answer on what different bushings do:

1. Hard Bushings: Hard bushings offer stability and are suitable for riders who prefer a more stable and controlled ride. They are often preferred by heavier riders or those who enjoy riding at higher speeds.
2. Soft Bushings: Soft bushings provide a more responsive and maneuverable ride. They allow for sharper turns and are favored by lighter riders or those who enjoy more agility and quick maneuvering.
3. Conical Bushings: Conical bushings have a tapered shape, with one side being wider than the other. They offer a mix of stability and responsiveness, making them versatile for different riding styles.
4. Barrel Bushings: Barrel bushings have a cylindrical shape and provide a balanced combination of stability and turnability. They are commonly used by riders who desire a well-rounded performance.

By experimenting with different bushing hardness and shapes, riders can fine-tune their skateboard’s responsiveness, stability, and turning characteristics to suit their personal preferences and riding style.

What is the difference between hard and soft bushings?

The main difference between hard and soft skateboard bushings lies in their durometer, which refers to their hardness. Hard bushings have a higher durometer rating, typically above 90A, while soft bushings have a lower durometer rating, often ranging from 78A to 90A.

Hard bushings provide increased stability, responsiveness, and a more precise feel. They are preferred by skaters who engage in high-speed and aggressive riding styles, as they offer better control and less wobbling during intense maneuvers. However, they require more force to turn, making them less suitable for quick, tight turns.

On the other hand, soft bushings offer a smoother and more forgiving ride. They are easier to turn and provide a greater degree of flexibility, making them suitable for carving, cruising, and beginner skaters. Soft bushings absorb more shocks and vibrations, enhancing comfort and reducing the impact on your joints.

The choice between hard and soft bushings ultimately depends on your riding style, preferences, and the type of skateboarding you engage in. Experimenting with different bushing hardness levels allows you to fine-tune your skateboard’s responsiveness and stability to match your individual needs.

Conclusion:

So, by reading the above article, you’ve got all the necessary information about the bushings, their types, shapes, components, and maintenance. So now, before getting yourself a new pair of skateboard trucks’ bushings, consider getting the one that suits your skateboard and your body weight better.

Bone wheel hardcore bushings, orangutang nipple bushings, venom tall bushings, Dime Bag skateboard bushings, and independent bushings are some of the best bushings available in the market if you are looking for a perfect set for yourself.