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Bearings for a freestyle scooter: how to choose, when to replace them, and how to remove and clean them
21. October
Written by Martin Nogol, Scootshop.cz · Updated on the 14th. 10. 2026
⚡ In brief: 608 bearings, two per wheel plus a spacer, sold in sets of 4.
Practically all freestyle scooters use 608 bearings on an 8 mm axle, the same as skateboards and skates. ABEC indicates manufacturing precision, not durability. Bearings are mainly damaged by water and sand, not jumps.
If the bearing hums, grinds, or won’t turn, try cleaning it and lubricating it with bearing oil (WD-40 is not a lubricant). Fair warning: worn-out casters usually need to be replaced entirely, including the bearings.
🔘 608 = standard
8 mm shaft. The same bearing as in a skateboard and roller skates.
2 + wheel spacer
Two bearings and a spacer tube between them. Pack of 4 = both wheels.
🏷️ ABEC = precision
Not endurance, not speed. ABEC 5 can perform better than ABEC 9.
💧 Water and sand
The biggest enemies of bearings. Never wash the scooter under a shower.
🚫 WD-40 is not a lubricant
It degreases the bearing, causing it to rust faster. Use bearing oil.
🔘 What is a bearing, and how many does a scooter need?
A bearing is a metal ring with balls inside that allows the wheel to rotate freely on the axle. Freestyle scooters use 608 bearings: an 8 mm inner bore (axle diameter), the same type used in skateboards, longboards, and rollerblades. The exception is the non-standard 12STD with a 12 mm axle and different bearings; it is used mainly by Ethic and is being phased out in the Czech Republic.
Each wheel requires two bearings (one on each side of the core) and a spacer between them, a short distance tube.
The spacer ensures that when the axle is tightened, the inner bearing races press against each other rather than against the balls. Without a spacer, the bearings will bind when tightened or wear out quickly. The scooter has a total of 4 bearings and 2 spacers, which is why bearings are sold in packs of 4, usually with spacers included.New wheels are sold with or without bearings; both options are common. We list the details for each individual wheel on its product page; learn more in the article How to Choose Wheels for a Freestyle Scooter.
🏷️ What does ABEC mean, and how should you choose bearings?
ABEC (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) is a manufacturing precision class: a higher number means tighter manufacturing tolerances. It says nothing about durability, material, sealing, or lubricant. ABEC therefore is not a measure of speed or quality: an ABEC 5 bearing with good seals and lubricant runs better and lasts longer than a poorly sealed ABEC 9 bearing. Many manufacturers do not specify an ABEC rating at all, yet their bearings are excellent.
Selecting bearings isn't rocket science. Three things decide:
- Type 608. Other sizes do not fit a standard scooter (except 12STD, see above).
- Dust seal. A cover (usually rubber) keeps dust and water out on both sides. For a scooter, this is more important than the ABEC rating.
- A brand you know, or one recommended to you. The difference between manufacturers is greater than the difference between ABEC classes.
🔁 When to clean the bearings and when to replace them?
A healthy bearing spins quietly and freely for several seconds when the wheel is spun by hand. Do you recognize the problem when a wheel hums, squeaks, rubs, spins only briefly and with difficulty, or seizes up completely after riding in wet conditions? The most common causes are water getting into the bearing (washing out the lubricant and causing the bearing to rust) or dust and sand (which grind down the balls), or the bearing has simply worn out.
| 🔎 Symptom | ❓ Cause | 🔧 Solution |
| The wheel hums or rustles and spins only briefly | Dust in the bearing, dried-out lubricant | Clean and lubricate (see procedure below). |
Fairly: the bearings can be lubricated occasionally, which will extend their lifespan. In practice, however, the bearings and wheels tend to wear out at about the same time, and worn wheels usually end up being replaced together with their bearings. There is no fixed interval; it depends on how often and where the child rides. You’ll extend their lifespan the most by riding them on smooth surfaces (skateparks, plazas, smooth stone), not in sand or wet conditions, and by never washing the scooter with water. At the beginning of the season, inspect the entire scooter and replace anything that is damaged.
🎬 Video: how to work with bearings
Martin demonstrates the entire procedure (removing, installing, tightening the axle) in the video. Below it, you will find the same thing as numbered steps.
🔨 How to remove bearings from a wheel?
The bearings are press-fitted tightly into the wheel’s core, so you’ll need to knock them out. You don't need anything special for that.
Tools: 6 mm Allen key (5 mm on some scooters) and a 13 mm wrench for the wheel axle, plus a 5 mm Allen key or screwdriver, a hammer, and two old wheels or another spacer with a gap in the middle.
- Remove the wheel from the scooter. Loosen the axle (using an Allen key, or a 13 mm wrench on the nut on the other side) and pull the wheel out of the fork or plate. Note where the spacers were so you can put them back the same way.
- Prepare the mat. Place two old wheels on the table with a gap between them, wide enough for the bearing to fall through. Place the wheel with the bearings flat on them, with the hole over the gap.
- Knock out the first bearing. Insert an Allen key or screwdriver through the hole from above, angle it so it rests against the inner ring of the lower bearing, and tap it gently with a hammer. If it isn’t easy, alternate sides so the bearing sits straight. Be careful not to let the bearing fall apart. The spacer will also fall out with the lower bearing.
- Turn the wheel and knock out the second bearing in the same way.
- Clean the beds in the core of dust and old grease. Done.
How to reinstall (press-fit) the bearings:
- Insert the first bearing straight into the seat and press it in using pressure, not a hammer: place the wheel with the bearing against a flat, hard surface and press down with your full weight, or use a bearing press. If pressed in at an angle or struck with a hammer, both the bearing and its seat in the core will be damaged, and this voids the warranty.
- Turn the wheel, insert the spacer, and press in the second bearing.
- Reinstall the wheel on the axle with the original washers and tighten the axle. The wheel must rotate freely without any lateral play.
Martin's older video on installing bearings:
🧴 How to clean and lubricate bearings?
If the bearing is only humming or turning stiffly, but does not squeak and is not rusty, it is enough to clean it and add a drop of oil. You will need: a cloth, a thin, sharp knife (a snap-off utility knife or carpet knife), bearing oil (sold for skates and skateboards), and optionally a degreaser.
- Knock the bearings out of the wheel following the procedure above.
- Wipe the bearing to remove coarse dirt from the outside with a cloth.
- Remove the cover. Carefully insert the tip of the knife between the cap and the outer ring, then pry off the cap. Do not scratch or bend it; it must be returnable.
- Clean the interior. Wipe away old grease and dust. Rinse a very dirty bearing with a degreaser (denatured alcohol, brake cleaner) and let it dry completely. After degreasing, you need to apply fresh lubricant; otherwise, the bearing will fail after just a few rides running “dry.”
- Apply a few drops of bearing oil inside and spin it so the oil reaches all the balls. Do not overfill; excess only attracts dust.
- Press the cover back into place and wipe the bearing once more so no oil or dirt remains on it.
- Press the bearings back into the wheel (with the spacer) and tighten the axle.
💡 What to lubricate and what not to
Yes: oil or lubricant intended for bearings (skates, skateboards, bicycles). No: WD-40 and similar “all-purpose” sprays. They are degreasers, not lubricants: the bearing runs briefly, but the lubricant gets washed out, so the balls then run dry and rust. Do not use cooking oil (it will gum up) or thick petroleum jelly in the motor (it will slow it down).
⚠️ Most common mistakes
- Using WD-40 as a lubricant. It removes the grease from the bearing, causing it to rust and fail even sooner.
- Washing the scooter with water. Both the wheel and headset bearings will seize.
- Pressing it in with a hammer or at an angle. It destroys the bearing and the housing in the core, and voids the warranty. Always straight and with pressure.
- Installation without a spacer. After tightening the axle, the wheel does not spin, or the bearings quickly fall apart.
- New bearings for a worn wheel. You will have to replace a wheel with a flat spot or peeling polyurethane just as soon; buy a new one with bearings straight away.
- Selection by ABEC number. The seal and manufacturer are what matter, not the accuracy class.
❓ FAQ
What bearings should I get for a freestyle scooter?
608 bearings (8 mm axle) from a reliable manufacturer, with dust covers. You need 4 bearings and 2 spacers for a scooter; they are sold in packs of 4.
Is ABEC 9 better than ABEC 5?
It is more precisely manufactured, not faster or more durable. An ABEC 5 bearing with good seals and lubrication often runs better than a poorly sealed ABEC 9.
Can I lubricate the bearings with WD-40?
No. WD-40 is a degreaser; it will wash the lubricant out of the bearing. Use bearing oil for skates or skateboards.
How can I tell if the bearings are bad?
When spun by hand, the wheel does not spin freely and quietly for several seconds, but hums, squeaks, or stops immediately. If it squeaks or is rusty, replace it; if it only hums, try cleaning and lubricating it.
The new bearing does not spin or is knocking—is it defective?
Usually not: it is pressed in at an angle, a spacer is missing, or the bearing seat in the old wheel is worn out. A genuine material defect will become apparent during the first few rides; in that case, follow the instructions in How to Make a Complaint.
Need help?
Bring your scooter to our store in Pardubice. We’ll replace and press in the bearings on the spot, even for scooters purchased elsewhere. You can find the selection in the bearings, wheels, and maintenance categories. Related articles: How to choose wheels, The scooter rattles, knocks, or the handlebars are loose and How to assemble a new freestyle scooter. Another guide in the Guides section.
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