subject: Does Your Longboard Squeak? [print this page] Many people are drawn to longboarding because of how beautiful it is to watch. There is something serene and enviable about the longboarding: the style is laid back, the movement is fluid. The only thing better than watching is actually getting on the board yourself - but nothing ruins the serenity of a good ride quite as quickly as your longboards trucks squeaking.
Squeaky trucks are one of the most common problems that the longboard owners have to deal with. The crux of the problem lies in the pivot cup, the little plastic part of your trucks that separates the hanger from baseplate. Over time, the stress of multiple rides rubs these parts against each other, producing that distinct squeaking noise.
Luckily, there are a few easy solutions that can help eliminate the noise from the trucks and restore a smooth tone to your rides.
Replace Your Trucks
This is your simplest and most expensive option. After a certain amount of use, all trucks should be replaced. However, if your trucks are still in good shape other than the squeaking noise, there are other options that allow you to get plenty more ride out of your present trucks without a huge cost.
Lube EmUp
This is the least labour-intensive solution to the problem, but it is important to do it properly. There are a wide variety of silicon based spray lubes on the market that work great for this. Some people will try and convince you that you dont need to waste money on these fancy sprays. These are often the same people who claim you can lube your trucks just fine with olive oil and they are best ignored.
Treat the Source
For this one you will require a 9/16 sized wrench, some more lube, and decent working knowledge of how to assemble and dissemble your trucks. First locate the king pin that holds the hanger to the baseplate. Removing the king pin to get access to the pivot cup. Separate the pivot cup from the hanger and put a couple drops of lubricant inside, smearing it around with your pinkie. Reassemble your trucks and test to see if they are quiet again.
Remember, no matter how many times you lube them, riding on well-worn trucks eventually becomes dangerous, so keep an eye out for when preventative measures will no longer cut it. Meanwhile, enjoy your smooth, squeak-free ride.
