How to Set Up Longboard Trucks 

 November 3, 2021

By James Mason

How to set up longboard trucks

If you’re a longboard rider, you’ll know that frequent longboard users face one common problem. As they ride the longboards, sometimes the bolts loosen up.

As a result, you don’t get to ride your awesome longboard truck properly. Well, to make sure you can fix your things up if you face this issue, knowing how to set up longboard trucks are a must.

So without further chit chat, let’s dive in.

longboard truck setup


How to Loosen Longboard Trucks

If you want to loosen your longboard trucks set, you’ll need to go through some steps.  Give these steps a thorough read:

Step 1

Your longboard needs to lay upside down on a flat surface. It’s better for you to use a table so that you can deal with the adjustment.

Step 2

See the nut of the first truck? Bring a socket wrench or adjustable wrench and place it around the nut. A 14-mm wrench is good enough to get your job done.

Step3

Now, it is time for you to turn the wrench in such a way so that it goes counter-clockwise. This will help you loosen the first truck.

Keep turning the wrench until you reach to the level of looseness you actually wanted. If you face any problems regarding the stability, here’s what you can do.

See the screws that are present on the opposite side of your longboard?  Place a head screwdriver around one of these screws so that you can secure the truck.

Step 4

Move to the opposite truck and repeat the same process. Keep turning the wrench until you realize you’ve met the level of looseness you want.

Step 5

Now all you need to do is stand on the top of your longboard after you’ve placed it on the ground.  Try to see if the trucks are loose enough or you need to repeat this round again.

Also Read: What to look for in a longboard for beginners

How to Tighten Longboard Trucks

If you want to tighten your longboard trucks, it is crucial for you to know a few steps. For normal riding, you’ll need to know the whole set up and how to adjust longboard trucks. And tightening longboard trucks set is a process you must know.

Follow these steps, and you’ll get the desired longboard trucks tightness.

Step 1

Lay the longboard on a flat surface as it stays upside down. Make sure it stays in a way so that the wheels are facing upwards. A table might come pretty handy in this case.

Step 2

Now it is time for you to locate the bolts on the longboard trucks.  Get yourself a screwdriver and hold it in one place as the tool stays on top of the bolt.

Step 3

At first, get yourself an adjustable wrench and make sure it fits the truck bolts of the longboard. Tighten the bolts by turning the wrench rightwards. You may have to loosen the bolts sometime if you think you’ve made it too tight.

Step 4

Voila! You’re done! So, it is time for you to flip the longboard and keep it on the ground as the wheels touch it. Give it a test ride, and see if the adjustments are fine enough to give you a smoother ride.

Read Also:

Bolt Positioning After Tightening

Make sure you’ve tightened the bolts correctly. Sometimes longboard riders tend to leave the bolts in a weird positioning. It may harm your riding experience.

Look at the pictures below and make sure the bolt avoids the position in the first picture and stays like the second.

good sign of longboard trucks tighten

Wrapping Up

Well, that was pretty much it on how to set up longboard trucks. If you find your longboard trucks loose or tight, just go through the steps mentioned above, and your longboard truck will be ready in no time for the next ride!

If you ever need to buy new trucks for your longboard, then check our longboard truck reviews first. W hope you'll be able to find the best one for you from our longboard trucks list.

The comment section is always open. So, if you have any questions, then comment there.

If you’re a longboard rider, you’ll know that frequent longboard users face one common problem. As they ride the longboards, sometimes the bolts loosen up.

As a result, you don’t get to ride your awesome longboard truck properly. Well, to make sure you can fix your things up if you face this issue, knowing how to set up longboard trucks are a must.

So without further chit chat, let’s dive in.


longboard truck setup

How to Loosen Longboard Trucks

If you want to loosen your longboard trucks set, you’ll need to go through some steps.  Give these steps a thorough read:

Step 1

Your longboard needs to lay upside down on a flat surface. It’s better for you to use a table so that you can deal with the adjustment.

Step 2

See the nut of the first truck? Bring a socket wrench or adjustable wrench and place it around the nut. A 14-mm wrench is good enough to get your job done.

Step3

Now, it is time for you to turn the wrench in such a way so that it goes counter-clockwise. This will help you loosen the first truck.

Keep turning the wrench until you reach to the level of looseness you actually wanted. If you face any problems regarding the stability, here’s what you can do.

See the screws that are present on the opposite side of your longboard?  Place a head screwdriver around one of these screws so that you can secure the truck.

Step 4

Move to the opposite truck and repeat the same process. Keep turning the wrench until you realize you’ve met the level of looseness you want.

Step 5

Now all you need to do is stand on the top of your longboard after you’ve placed it on the ground.  Try to see if the trucks are loose enough or you need to repeat this round again.

Also Read: What to look for in a longboard for beginners

How to Tighten Longboard Trucks

If you want to tighten your longboard trucks, it is crucial for you to know a few steps. For normal riding, you’ll need to know the whole set up and how to adjust longboard trucks. And tightening longboard trucks set is a process you must know.

Follow these steps, and you’ll get the desired longboard trucks tightness.

Step 1

Lay the longboard on a flat surface as it stays upside down. Make sure it stays in a way so that the wheels are facing upwards. A table might come pretty handy in this case.

Step 2

Now it is time for you to locate the bolts on the longboard trucks.  Get yourself a screwdriver and hold it in one place as the tool stays on top of the bolt.

Step 3

At first, get yourself an adjustable wrench and make sure it fits the truck bolts of the longboard. Tighten the bolts by turning the wrench rightwards. You may have to loosen the bolts sometime if you think you’ve made it too tight.

Step 4

Voila! You’re done! So, it is time for you to flip the longboard and keep it on the ground as the wheels touch it. Give it a test ride, and see if the adjustments are fine enough to give you a smoother ride.

Read Also:

Bolt Positioning After Tightening

Make sure you’ve tightened the bolts correctly. Sometimes longboard riders tend to leave the bolts in a weird positioning. It may harm your riding experience.

Look at the pictures below and make sure the bolt avoids the position in the first picture and stays like the second.

good sign of longboard trucks tighten

Wrapping Up

Well, that was pretty much it on how to set up longboard trucks. If you find your longboard trucks loose or tight, just go through the steps mentioned above, and your longboard truck will be ready in no time for the next ride!

If you ever need to buy new trucks for your longboard, then check our longboard truck reviews first. W hope you’ll be able to find the best one for you from our longboard trucks list.

The comment section is always open. So, if you have any questions, then comment there.

About the author

James Mason here. Surfing, skateboarding, and longboarding enthusiast currently living in Rio, Brazil. Started boarding since I was old enough to wear a helmet, except I often didn't. Think that explains a lot :)