Have you had a set of wheel bearings become so fused to an axel, that you need to go into battle with them just to get your wheel off? Well, I have [more than once]. Let me tell you how that went, as well as how to avoid it!
Yesterday, I embarked on what should have been [and normally is] a quick and simple task: swapping my indoor hard wheels for my soft outdoor wheels ahead of my trip to the Rendevous Paris Festival this weekend. The goal? Travel light—just one pair of skates, two wheelsets, and the flexibility to switch smoothly from an indoor rink flow to unpredictable Parisian pavements and roads. I needed to be ready to go with the skate flow!
The One Wheel That Refused to Budge
I did what I normally did when switching up my wheels — removing the wheel nut, and then sliding each wheel off in turn. However ...seven wheels came off in their usual effortless manner. The eighth? Not so much. But wait ...not now, I've got plans!
After removing the nut, this lone rebel clung to the axle like its life depended on it. No toggle, just straight rigidity. I tried every trick in my removing stick wheels book of tricks:
✅️ Gentle persuasion [tapping the wheel edges with a hammer].
✅️ Precision strikes [targeting the bearing edges].
✅️ The WD-40 soak [applied very generously, twice, with hours of hopeful waiting in between].
Nothing. Nada. Zilch!
Que The Double Threat Skates Warrioresses
In the morning, I had to admit defeat. I the morning, I googled their opening times and hauled my uncooperative skates to Double Threat Skates in King’s Cross 1 minute past opening time, praying they could work some kinda magic—and quickly. They delivered.
Their Pro Move:
1. Wrench as a lever: Placed around the axle base for grip.
2. Strategic positioning: Skate on its side, wheel hovering off the workbench edge [to leverage the effects of step 3].
3. Firm, focused taps: Hammer strikes the wrench, perfectly dispersing force evenly across the seized bearing.
Two attempts later—success!
The Lesson(s) Learned:
1. Physics > Brute Force: The wrench trick directs pressure more effectively than random hammering [note to self: stop with the Mickey Mouse hammer taps].
2. Post-Rain Care is Non-Negotiable: As the team reminded me, *drying bearings after wet skates* is a must—even if (like me) you’re the type who happily rolls through drizzly or wet conditions. Yes, I know this… but laziness and irresponsibility take hold sometimes. But, I'm now reformed - those days are over!
Back In Action
With my outdoor wheels finally in place and ready to test [it's not my usual street skating set-up], I’m ready for Seine-side street skates and [fingers crossed] dry bearings. And so, shout out to Double Threat for the rescue—and the reminder that even experienced skaters a lil input from the pros sometimes. Thank you for being so badass [and knowing your craft so well]!
Moral of the story? Maintain your skates — especially when exposed to the wet. And, when in doubt, skip the WD-40 and head straight to your local experts. Your skates (and sanity) will thank you.
Double Threat Skates is a derby skating specialist shop based in the arches next to King's Cross International Station. Yes, derby is their thing, but they also supply and service across all roller skating disciplines. They have been such an informative and efficient resource to me on several of my skate dramas.
Do you have a skate repair saga? Go ahead and share it with us in the comments below.
