Why Is My Longboard So Noisy? Causes and Simple Fixes

Is your longboard making annoying squeaks, rattles, or other distracting sounds? It’s a common issue that many riders face, and the good news is that most of the time, it’s easily fixable. Understanding why your longboard is noisy is the first step to getting back to a smooth and quiet ride. This guide will walk you through the most common causes of longboard noise and how to fix them.

Longboards, like skateboards, are designed to make some noise, especially when riding on rough surfaces. However, there are specific sounds that can indicate a problem. These are often caused by loose components, worn-out parts, or a lack of lubrication. Identifying the source of the noise is crucial before attempting any repairs or replacements.

Common Reasons for Longboard Noises

Before you start disassembling your longboard, it’s helpful to understand the potential sources of the noise. Here’s a breakdown of the most common culprits:

• Loose Hardware: Screws and nuts on your baseplates can become loose over time, leading to vibrations and rattling.
• Worn Bushings: Bushings that are old, cracked, or squashed can produce squeaking sounds.
• Damaged Pivot Cups: Worn-down pivot cups can cause a range of noises, especially when leaning or turning.
• Dry Bearings: Bearings that are not properly lubricated can rattle or squeak.
• Incorrect Washers: Washers that are deformed or the wrong size can also contribute to noise.
• Riser Pad Issues: Loose or broken riser pads can cause vibrations and noise.
• Wheel Problems: Flat spots or the hardness of your wheels can also contribute to noise.

Here’s a quick guide to help you identify the sound and its probable cause:

Fortunately, most of these issues are easy to fix with some basic tools and a bit of maintenance. Let’s dive into each issue in detail.

Bushings and Pivot Cups: Common Culprits

Squeaking sounds are often traced back to bushings or pivot cups. Bushings are the rubbery pieces on your trucks, and pivot cups are the small cups where the truck hanger rests.

Bushings:
Inspect your bushings for wear and tear. If they appear squashed or cracked, they might need replacement.

old skateboard bushing

How to Address Bushing Noise:

1. Remove the nut from the kingpin and take out the bushings.
2. Check for cracks and compression. Replace if needed.
3. Apply a wax or silicone-based lubricant.
4. Reassemble the trucks and check if the noise is gone

New bushings may make noise initially, but it should disappear as they break in.

Pivot Cups:
When leaning on your longboard, the pivot cup can be the culprit. The pivot cup is where the truck hanger pivots, and if it’s dry or worn, it can produce a squeak.

How to Fix a Noisy Pivot Cup:

1. Remove the kingpin nut and the truck hanger.
2. Inspect the pivot cup. Replace it if worn or damaged.
3. Clean the pivot hole with soap, wax, or silicone lube.
4. Reassemble the truck and test.

squashed bushings and deformed washers

Bearings: Squeaks and Rattles

Another common source of noise is the bearings within your wheels. Over time, these can become dry and dirty, causing them to rattle or squeak.

How to Fix Noisy Bearings:

1. Remove the wheels and pop out the bearings.
2. Remove the bearing shields.
3. Clean the bearings with acetone or nail polish remover, soaking them to remove dirt.
4. Dry the bearings thoroughly and make sure no dust or dirt remains.
5. Lubricate with a silicone-based lube. Avoid using oils that can become sticky.
6. Reassemble the wheels and see if the noise is gone.

Cleaning your bearings may require more frequent cleaning in the future. If the noise persists, replacing your bearings might be the best solution.

guide to cleaning skateboard bearings

Sounds When Leaning or Turning

If you hear squeaking or creaking when leaning or turning, it may be related to your pivot cups or hardware.

Troubleshooting Leaning/Turning Noises:

1. Tighten Hardware: Check and tighten all nuts and screws on your trucks.
2. Inspect Pivot Cups: If tightening doesn’t work, check your pivot cups as mentioned earlier.
3. Check Bushings: As mentioned earlier, inspect your bushings and apply wax or lubricant if necessary.

Ticking Noises and Bumpy Rides

A ticking noise, often accompanied by a bumpy ride, usually means you have flat spots on your wheels. These are typically caused by powerslides.

What to Do About Flat Spots:

1. Inspect Your Wheels: Examine the surface of each wheel to identify any flat spots.
2. Rotate Wheels: Try rotating your wheels to see if the flat spot evens out.
3. Ride it Out: If the flat spot is small, riding might make it disappear over time.
4. Replace Wheels: If severe, replace your wheels to avoid discomfort.

Clicking and Creaking Sounds

Clicking and creaking sounds are often caused by the washers on your kingpin. Washers that are too large can shift and rub, causing noise.

Fixing Clicking Washers:

1. Examine Washers: Check the fit of the washers against the kingpin.
2. Teflon Tape: Apply teflon tape to the kingpin to make it thicker, improving the fit.
3. Use Glue: As a temporary measure, you can also glue them to the nut.
4. New Washers: Replace oversized washers with correctly sized ones.

Low-Pitched Noise from Wheels

If you’re hearing a low-pitched sound coming from your wheels, it’s likely due to the space between your bearings and the inside of your wheels.

How to Resolve Wheel Noise:

1. Clean Bearings and Wheel Core: As previously described, clean the bearings and inner surface of your wheels.
2. Lubricate: Apply lubricant to the outer bearings and the core of the wheels to reduce friction.

Check Riser Pads

Although less common, riser pads can cause noise if they are loose or damaged.

Riser Pad Issues:

1. Tighten Screws: Make sure screws holding the riser pads are tightened.
2. Inspect Riser Pads: Check for any signs of wear and tear.

The Type of Surface Matters

The surface you’re riding on can significantly impact the amount of noise your longboard produces. Riding on rough asphalt or cracked pavements will naturally be louder than smoother surfaces.

Surface Considerations:

1. Softer Wheels: If the noise bothers you, consider using softer wheels. Softer wheels are generally quieter, but are not ideal for all forms of longboarding, such as aggressive freestyle.
2. Adapt: If you want to perform slides, and tricks, you will need to get used to the noise.

Lubrication: Wax and Lube

Wax and lubricant can temporarily reduce noise, but may also indicate a need for replacement.

Lube and Wax Tips:

1. Silicone-Based Lubricant: Use a quality silicone-based lubricant. Avoid WD-40, which can attract dirt.
2. Paraffin Wax: If you don’t have lube, paraffin wax (from candles) can also help in some areas, but not bearings.

When Nothing Seems to Work

If the steps above do not eliminate the noise, consider these other factors:

• Deck Delamination: Inspect your deck for delamination, which is when the layers of wood separate. If the delamination is slight, try gluing the wood together. If it’s severe, the deck should be replaced.
• Wheel Hardness: The hardness of your wheels can be a factor. Consider softer wheels for street riding if the noise is a problem.

No longboard is entirely silent, but a properly maintained and assembled board will significantly reduce unwanted noise. By taking the time to diagnose and address the specific sources of noise, you can enjoy a smoother and quieter ride. Quality components are essential for the safety, enjoyability, and durability of your longboard.