The skateboard trucks literally hold your setup together. They allow you to make turns and do tricks as they transfer your movements from the deck to the wheels. You can adjust their responsiveness according to your preferences and skills. Generally, skateboarders differ between softer and stiffer trucks.
What are the differences between soft and stiff skateboard trucks?
Softer trucks feel "loose" and respond quickly to the pressure your feet put on the deck. Therefore, you need a lot of control and good balance to master soft trucks.
Stiffer trucks, on the other hand, feel more stable. This makes a stiffer setup especially suitable for beginners.
We explain two ways you can adjust your trucks yourself. It only takes a couple of minutes and it's really worth trying.
Adjusting the kingpin screw
The kingpin is the large screw on which the bushings (steering rubbers) sit. It holds the hanger and baseplate together. The kingpin itself has a nut that you can use to adjust the responsiveness of your trucks. Depending on which direction you turn the nuts, the trucks get softer or stiffer. Just try out which setting feels best for you.
Tip: Use a skate tool for this.
Soft trucks with the Kingpin
If you turn the kingpin nuts to the left, you open them. This connects the hangers more loosely to the baseplates. The skateboard trucks now react faster to your movements and feel "loose".
Tip: If you open the kingpin nuts too far, your skateboard may feel unstable or cause wheelbites. (Wheelbites are abrupt stops of the wheels due to friction with the deck).
Stiffer trucks with the Kingpin
If you prefer stiffer axles, turn the nuts to the right. This tightens the kingpin screws and connects the hangers more firmly to the baseplates. Now your skateboard trucks react less responsive and consequently feels more stable.
Tip: If you tighten the nuts too much, you can damage the bushings (steering rubbers) of the kingpin screw. They are compressed too much and can tear.
Adjusting the bushings
If the settings of the Kingpin nut are not ideal for you, you can also change the bushings (steering rubbers). Depending on their hardness and shape they influence the feeling and performance of your trucks. You can choose between soft, medium and hard bushings. Softer ones will give you a looser skate feeling, harder ones are more stable.
Some skate brands also offer different bushing shapes. The conical shape is looser and the flat shape more stable.
How do I change my skateboard bushings?
To change them, you have to open the kingpin nuts completely and remove the old bushings and the hanger from the kingpins. Then insert the new bushings and reassemble everything. Finally, adjust the kingpin screw to what feels best to you.
For more skate knowledge, check out our Buyer's Guides.
We're here to help you find the perfect skate setup. In our Skateboard Buyer's Guide we have summarised everything about skateboards, trucks, wheels and bearings as well as longboards for you.
