Why Bearing Maintenance Matters
Roller hockey is fast, aggressive, and gritty—and so are the conditions your bearings go through. Dirt, sweat, moisture, and dust from sport courts or outdoor play can slow you down if you’re not cleaning them regularly. Well-maintained bearings = smoother stride, faster speed, and longer gear life.
Let’s break it down by level:
Level 1: Regular Maintenance (Every 2-3 Months)
Quick, easy, and keeps your wheels rolling smooth.
What You’ll Need:
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Dry cloth or paper towel
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Bearing oil/lubricant
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Skate tool or bearing puller, like the DANGL Tool
Steps:
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Remove Wheels and pop out the bearings using your skate tool.
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Wipe Off Surface Dirt with a clean cloth—no water, no chemicals.
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Inspect Bearings for signs of damage or rust.
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Apply Bearing Oil: A drop or two on each side of the bearing. Spin it to spread the oil.
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Reinstall and Roll. Pop them back into the wheels, and you're ready.
🛠️ Pro Tip: Even a quick wipe and re-lube can extend bearing life by weeks. Don’t skip this step if you’re skating hard multiple times a week.
Level 2: Deep Clean (1-2 Times a Year or After Dusty/Outdoor Rinks)
Got buildup or grit? Time to take it up a notch.
What You’ll Need:
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Citrus-based bearing cleaner or isopropyl alcohol (90%+)
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Bearing cleaning container or a small jar
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Safety pin or razor blade (for shield removal)
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Clean cloth/paper towels
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Bearing oil/lubricant
Steps:
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Remove Bearings from wheels.
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Pop Off Bearing Shields carefully with a pin or blade (most bearings are rubber-sealed).
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Soak Bearings in your cleaning solution for 5–10 minutes. Shake occasionally.
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Dry Completely on a clean towel. Compressed air can help speed this up.
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Re-Lube each bearing with 1–2 drops of oil.
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Replace Shields and reinstall.
🧽 Deep cleaning removes grime that slows you down. Ideal after dusty tournaments, dirty rinks, or outdoor games.
Level 3: Complete Overhaul (When Bearings Are Noisy, Rusty, or Sluggish)
This is the last stop before you replace them—or sometimes, a full save.
What You’ll Need:
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Everything from Deep Clean + toothbrush or soft brush
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Rust remover (optional)
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Replacement shields or bearings (in case some are toast)
Steps:
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Disassemble Completely: Remove shields, spacers, everything.
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Scrub Internals: Use brush to gently clean inside the race and ball bearings.
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Soak & Shake in strong cleaning solution or rust remover if needed.
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Rinse, Dry & Inspect: If they still feel gritty, they’re done.
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Lube, Reassemble, and Test Spin.
💀 If they still sound like a blender or won’t spin freely after all this? Time to replace them.
Bonus Tips for Bearing Life
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Avoid water and sand at all costs—instant killers.
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Store skates in a dry, cool place, not in your trunk or garage. Don't leave them in a moist hockey bag overnight after games!
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Use bearing-specific oil, not WD-40 (it dries them out long-term).
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Rotate wheels often to reduce uneven stress on specific bearings.
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Keep a backup set of clean bearings in your gear bag—especially for tournaments.
Want to Make It Faster?
If you're tired of slow bearing swaps and messy cleanups, check out our DANGL Tool —made to pop bearings and swap wheels in record time.