Ever taken your wheels off, found a couple of tiny metal washers on the floor and wondered whether they actually matter? Or opened a new pack of bearings and discovered four little metal tubes?
Welcome to two of the smallest, most misunderstood parts of a skateboard: bearing spacers and speed washers (also called speed rings or axle washers). They sound similar, but they do different jobs. Here's what you need, what you can skip and how to put everything back together without a wheel that barely spins.
Bearing spacers vs speed washers: what's the difference?
A bearing spacer is a short metal tube that sits inside the wheel, between its two bearings. Its job is to support the inner bearing races at the correct distance apart when the axle nut is tightened. If the spacer fits the wheel and bearings properly, it can reduce unwanted side-loading on the bearings.
A speed washer is a thin metal ring that sits outside the wheel, on the axle. Normally there's one between the truck hanger and the inner bearing, and one between the outer bearing and the axle nut. It gives the bearing's inner race a clean contact surface and helps keep neighbouring metal parts away from the bearing shield.
| Part | Where it goes | Typical quantity per skateboard | Main job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bearing spacer | Between the two bearings inside each wheel | 4 | Support bearing alignment under axle-nut pressure |
| Speed washer / speed ring | On each side of each wheel, outside the bearings | 8 | Provide clearance at the hanger and axle nut |
Those counts assume four wheels with conventional bearings. Some bearings have built-in spacing features, so always check your actual setup.
Do you need bearing spacers for street skating?
Not always. Plenty of street and park skaters ride conventional bearings without separate spacers. If your wheels spin freely, the bearings are seated correctly and the axle nuts are secure, you don't necessarily need to buy extra parts.
That said, correctly sized spacers can be useful if you want the inner bearing races supported when tightening the axle nuts, especially on setups subjected to heavier side loads, hard carving or sliding. The key phrase is correctly sized. A spacer that doesn't match the spacing inside your wheel can make the bearings bind or leave them unsupported.
Don't assume every spacer marked “8mm” is interchangeable. That figure often describes the axle bore; the spacer's length also needs to match the wheel's bearing seat spacing. Different wheels can need different lengths.
Do you need speed washers?
For a normal street setup with standard bearings, keep the speed washers that came with your trucks. They're small, inexpensive and help stop the bearing from rubbing against the hanger or axle nut. If you lose one, replacing it is usually easier than trying to work around it.
They're not magic speed boosters. A clean, correctly installed bearing matters far more than a flashy name. Think of speed washers as basic fit-and-clearance hardware, not a performance upgrade.
What about bearings with built-in spacers?
Some skateboard bearings have extended inner races that incorporate the spacing normally provided by separate tubes and, on certain designs, the outside washer clearance too. You'll sometimes see these described as built-in or integrated spacer bearings.
Check the maker's fitting instructions. Don't add separate spacers or washers simply out of habit if that bearing design specifically says they aren't needed. And don't assume every bearing advertised as “built-in” uses exactly the same arrangement.
How to fit skateboard bearing spacers and speed washers
You'll need a skate tool or suitable socket, your wheels, two bearings per wheel and the correct hardware. Work somewhere you won't lose the washers—ideally not on a gravelly car park floor.
- Remove the axle nut. Put the nut and outer speed washer somewhere safe. Leave the inner washer on the axle or set it aside with the rest.
- Seat the first bearing squarely. You can use the truck axle to press it into the wheel. Apply pressure evenly and avoid pushing on the bearing shield.
- Add the spacer if your setup uses one. Place the correctly sized tube between the bearing positions inside the wheel.
- Seat the second bearing. Press it in straight so both bearings are fully seated. A spacer shouldn't force either bearing to sit crooked.
- Fit the inner speed washer. It goes on the axle against the hanger, before the wheel.
- Slide on the wheel. Then fit the outer speed washer and axle nut, in that order.
- Secure and test. Tighten the nut so its nylon locking section is properly engaged, then check that the wheel spins freely without excessive side-to-side play. On conventional setups without matched spacers, a little clearance is usually needed. If it binds, stop and inspect the assembly rather than forcing the nut tighter.
Repeat for all four wheels. If the nut can't engage securely without jamming the wheel, don't skate it until the fit is corrected.
Why does my skateboard wheel stop spinning when I tighten the nut?
It's a common problem, especially after changing bearings. Check these things in order:
- Bearings not seated: one bearing may be sitting at an angle or not fully pressed into the wheel.
- Wrong spacer length: an incompatible tube can push the bearing races out of alignment.
- Missing speed washer: the bearing shield may be rubbing against the hanger or nut.
- Nut too tight for the setup: conventional bearings without correctly matched spacers often need a small amount of axial clearance.
- Dirty or damaged bearings: if the wheel still feels gritty with the nut correctly adjusted, inspect the bearings themselves.
Our step-by-step wheel changing guide covers the wider job, while how to clean skateboard bearings is worth reading if grit is the culprit.
Are bearing spacers the same as skateboard risers?
No. A bearing spacer lives inside a wheel. A riser is a pad fitted between the truck baseplate and the deck, usually to increase wheel clearance. They solve completely different problems.
If your wheel catches the underside of your board when you turn, that's wheelbite—not a missing bearing spacer. Read how to stop skateboard wheelbite before changing parts at random.
Does wet UK weather make spacers more important?
Not directly. Wet ground and gritty paths are much bigger concerns for the bearings themselves. Water and dirt can cause corrosion and rough rolling; spacers won't waterproof anything. After a damp session, wipe down the board, dry the hardware and check for gritty or noisy wheels before your next skate. Avoid deliberately riding through puddles, particularly if your deck is wooden.
If you're rebuilding a setup after a soggy journey home, keep the washers together so none vanish into the garage floor. Small parts have a talent for disappearing at exactly the wrong moment.
Frequently asked questions
How many bearings are in a skateboard?
Eight on a typical four-wheel skateboard: two per wheel. For more on what the ratings mean, see our ABEC ratings guide.
Can I ride without bearing spacers?
Many standard street setups work without separate spacers. Check that your wheels spin freely, your bearings are seated and your axle nuts are safely engaged.
Can I ride without speed washers?
Some setups may still roll, but on ordinary trucks with standard bearings they're worth keeping. Missing washers can allow rubbing or change the available clearance.
Will spacers make my skateboard faster?
Not necessarily. Correctly fitting parts can help avoid friction caused by poor alignment, but they won't transform worn-out bearings. Good installation and maintenance matter more.
Where can I find the right bearings or wheels?
Start by checking the specifications of the parts you're replacing. FK has Bearings and Wheels collections to browse, but confirm each product's dimensions and included hardware before ordering.
The FK takeaway
Spacers go inside. Speed washers go outside. On a normal street skateboard, separate bearing spacers are often optional; the speed washers supplied with your trucks are worth keeping. Fit everything properly, don't crush your bearings with the axle nut, and check the wheels before heading to the park.
Less time fighting your setup, more time skating. Built by misfits. Made for everyone.