SkateBoard [Inline Skate wheel] Bearings? [Merged 12-6]

[will90Eclipse]

I'm thinking of doing the Skateboard bearing shifter mod and I was wondering what size the bearings are? I've checked other posts and can't find the sizes.
Thanks Will

 

[Slippi84]

Anyone know where to get metal bushing replacement for the other end? The end that connects to the actuall shifter.

 

[-TunedDSM-]

Anyone know where to get metal bushing replacement for the other end? The end that connexts to the actuall shifter.

Symborski Shifter Kit

I must say this skateboard bearing mod is a great <$10 mod. I did this a year ago and the shifter feels great!

 

[motozachl]

i have little added mod that greatly helps shifting:

once you install the symborski kit there are the rubber bushings and metal spacers left over. take once of the spacers and put in the linkage at the bottom of the shifter in the pic below. there is a lot of play and this tightens it up a substantial amount. just make sure you lube it...

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[coryf1233]

I used skateboard bearings and overall i am really happy with the feel of my shifts now. i paid 11 bucks for the bearings, took about half an hour. only problem i ran into was getting the bearings completely in. the majority of the bearing is in, however not all the way..

does anyone think this will pose a problem( the bearing not being completely in?

 

[nytescion]

I would use a set of pliers with a rag on both sides (so not to damage it) of the bearing and squeeze until the bearing was as far as it would go like that. If the bearing is a little offset in the ring I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[My1GLaser]

It shouldn't sit out of the bore too far. Just squeeze it in there with a C-clamp and a socket that will spread the pressure over the face of the whole bearing.

 

[dedonx]

Just did this mod on my 98 rs... When I went to pull the motor, I found that one of the bushings was completely destroyed... so I am glad I found this... The new motor is in, and I now have much smoother, more precise shifts... thanks guys...

Bonehead Performance also offers this... 2 pc. Underhood Shifter Bushing Kit- DSM: BoneHead Performance

 

[jag987]

Be carefully when pushing on these bearing with weird tools. Skateboarders use a special tool to press these bearings into their wheels because they are so fragile. Also don't ever put wd-40 onto a sealed bearing. It is a penetrating oil and will remove all the lube from inside the bearing. Then you will eventually get a seized wheel bearing in there. I imagine they are even harder to take out without damaging the shifter cables, or completely taking them out of the car. Having skateboarded for a while there are many different types, and qualities to these bearings. I've paid up to $50 for a set of good ones, and there is a big difference between them and the cheap ones. Be sure to get sealed bearings for this. You don't want water, or dirt, or anything to get inside the bearings and destroy them.

Also an old way back mechanics trick for pressing tight fitting parts together, put the bearings in the freezer for a while. When your about to put them in, heat the shifter cable ends. The bearings will become a tiny bit smaller in the freezer, and the cable ends will get a tiny bit bigger. When they all become the same temperature again, they will fit very tight.

 

[burkgonzo]

Well Im just going to use the cheap non sealed and see how it works

 

[98spyderboost]

Well Im just going to use the cheap non sealed and see how it works

When I skated I remember the cheapest bearings were always sealed. I had some that were not and they were more expensive but you could repack them over and again. For this mod the cheap sealed bearings should be perfect. They will never see RPMS like they do in a skate wheel so as long as you don't put penetrating oil on them(as mentioned before this IS important, use GREASE to press the bearings, not WD-40 ) they should last forever...

BTW I just got my car back from getting new shift cables put in. Did the bearing mod in 10 minutes tonight using the freezer and torch method mentioned before. Haven't had a chance to really see what the difference is yet but I'll post when I do. I'm doing all the shifter mods one at a time just because I am curious as to the differences each mod makes in the feel of shifting. I will post on that as well as I make the changes.

 

[1gDSMike]

I just caught this thread and had some roller skates sitting in my closet i stole some bearings from. Did this in about 20 mins, havent driven the car yet (1am here) But just sitting inside shifting i can tell a huge difference. I dont have to fight the shifter out of 5th anymore.

 

[97gst_spyder]

I did this with cheap ebay ones. $3.94 shipped for 4. I only used 2 and washers to make up the space. NO issues at all.

 

[skatershawn]

am just kidding about the bearing stuck in the wheel. I popped it out in like 2 seconds prying it with the trucks; Old school trick for the poor kids who couldn't afford tools. But anyways, I did this mod in like 10 mins..I lubed them up good with some grease then they went in easy with a pair of vice grips then I leveled it out with some washers. It looks pretty cool and shiny.

haha yes this is the way to do it... been skating for the past 10 years and still do when i get a brake from work!!

Be carefully when pushing on these bearing with weird tools. Skateboarders use a special tool to press these bearings into their wheels because they are so fragile. Also don't ever put wd-40 onto a sealed bearing. It is a penetrating oil and will remove all the lube from inside the bearing. Then you will eventually get a seized wheel bearing in there. I imagine they are even harder to take out without damaging the shifter cables, or completely taking them out of the car. Having skateboarded for a while there are many different types, and qualities to these bearings. I've paid up to $50 for a set of good ones, and there is a big difference between them and the cheap ones. Be sure to get sealed bearings for this. You don't want water, or dirt, or anything to get inside the bearings and destroy them.

and this guy.... i dont' know what hes talking about!!! Yes they make special tools to do this and skate shops use them... its a bit easier but not much... out of all my friends that skate none of us use those "special tools"

Use the axles of the trucks to pop them out and use the axles of the trucks to push them in!!


Besides allll that... i never knew you could do this mod!!!
Glad i read it cause ill be doing it today once i get hom from work... i KNEW keeping my old bearing would pay off someday! And i have like a million!
Favorite brand... speed demons abec 5's!

 

[93spoolin]

old thread but just seeing if the old people who have done this are still enjoying them?my nephew skates and has some swiss bearing in the closet and i plan to do this

 

[tjbiker031]

I love them, just need to do the ones under the shifter and it will be great

 

[cardot33]

it really won't make any difference if the bearings are welded because they shouldn't be going anywhere (need cotter pins). I put just one in each cable and I'll be using washers when i get the transmission back from a rebuild (bad clutch )

 

[97gst_spyder]

Its a night and day difference.

 

[dedonx]

It makes a huge difference. Smooth, tight shifts for sure. It's an easy mod, and definately something to look into if you have some spare time and spare bearings. I actually just ended up going down to the skate shop and picking some up for this reason alone. I wanted to see for myself how rad it was. Glad I did.

 

[davidalindsey]

I know old thread.
Just have to say how wonderful the car feels after doing this mod.
I got the STM SHIFTER CABLE BEARING KIT on sale.
There is no slop loose feeling at all.
The only part that was a POS was removing the old torn and seized up skate bearings that the previous owner had on.
That is all, Now I want to drive my car again.

 

[luv2rallye]

WARNING! DO NOT DO THE SKATEBOARD BEARING MOD. Even though it stiffens up the shifter to make shifting really nice, it will eventually cause major problems. The factory rubber bushings on the tranny end of the shift cables are used for a reason (maybe just replace them if worn). See https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/youre-not-a-true-dsmer-unless.528362/page-2#post-153760144 AND https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/stuck-in-gear-shift-fork.545203/post-153899738. I will stake my reputation on this.

 

[Spleen8urLSX]

WARNING! DO NOT DO THE SKATEBOARD BEARING MOD. Even though it stiffens up the shifter to make shifting really nice, it will eventually cause major problems. The factory rubber bushings on the tranny end of the shift cables are used for a reason (maybe just replace them if worn). See https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/youre-not-a-true-dsmer-unless.528362/page-2#post-153760144 AND https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/stuck-in-gear-shift-fork.545203/post-153899738. I will stake my reputation on this.

I’ve been hearing this a lot lately via reputable shops, the skateboard bearings and solid bushings can eventually cause an over extension of the arm during a fast shift which results in broken shift forks, I found this out the hard way. You can ask the really smooth (well it WAS anyway) ‘90 trans Dan Buschur went through that’s sitting in my garage with a broken shift fork how I know that. I know a few guys who have went back to brand new OEM rubber bushings, and have seen polyurethane are now offered. I have no hands on with the polyurethane ones but I’m hearing they give the nice firm shift like solid or skateboard bearings, yet have enough give to the material to absorb some of the shock during a fast/hard shift that could cause the arm to over extend. Unless I hear a valid reason not to I’ll be trying the polyurethane Johnson’s out myself.

 

[dwb]

WARNING! DO NOT DO THE SKATEBOARD BEARING MOD. Even though it stiffens up the shifter to make shifting really nice, it will eventually cause major problems. The factory rubber bushings on the tranny end of the shift cables are used for a reason (maybe just replace them if worn). See https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/youre-not-a-true-dsmer-unless.528362/page-2#post-153760144 AND https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/stuck-in-gear-shift-fork.545203/post-153899738. I will stake my reputation on this.

Do you have a source for the OEM bushings? I can't find a part number in ASA. I see the washers, pins, and clips, but no bushing:

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