Washer getting embedded in bushing?

[tab1293]

Hey I just got my first longboard from Kracked Skulls. I assembled the board fine but I run into a problem when I want to make my trucks tighter. When I tighten them, the washer resting on the bushing(?, the gummy thing) is becoming embedded into it instead of resting on top of it making the bolt become impossible to reach if I tightened it more. How can I fix this problem? Did I do something wrong? Thanks.

[partninjas]

You're tightening your trucks too much dude. What's your weight and what duro are the bushings? What brand/color are the bushings?

Short term solution - Run to the hardware store, bring a bushing and your king pin with you and get bigger washers.

Long term - Never over tighten bushings, just get a harder duro. You should only tighten it to the point where there is no slop in the hanger and they're not jiggley.

[tab1293]

I weigh about 140lbs, the bushings are red in color I don't know the duro. And it doesn't seem like im tightening them too much, the board is very sensitive when I shift my weight while riding.

[Cann0n]

Try getting different bushings. You probably don't need any harder than a 79a/85a DB set up.

[tab1293]

What is the rules with the hardness of bushings? And how hard do you think mine probably are, they are a deep red color.

[Cann0n]

What is the rules with the hardness of bushings? And how hard do you think mine probably are, they are a deep red color.

I dunno. I'd have to squeeze them. I suggest learning up on the durometer scale.

[snozzboarder55]

the only stock red bushings i cant think of are in randal and paris trucks. if its a clear red then its probably randals. both bushings are fairly hard so you are better of switching them out for say 85a venoms (they are yellow).

and ya the reason its digging into the bushing is because the kingpin is too tight. take a tool, turn it to the left and enjoy the loose ride.

[tab1293]

yeah i do have randal trucks, so they are the stock randal bushings.

[snozzboarder55]

yeah i do have randal trucks, so they are the stock randal bushings.

red randal bushings are 92a, you'll definitely want to go softer

[tab1293]

wait so the softer they are the more I can tighten them?

[snozzboarder55]

wait so the softer they are the more I can tighten them?

don't be so concerned about tightening the trucks, get used to a loose ride. so many people throw this line around, so you should get familiar with it "loose trucks save lives".

[tab1293]

I don't know I've been boarding on my friends rides and mine still seems very loose. I just went down a decent sized hill and I can't stand up slide, when I try to make a carve I am going so fast if I put the least pressure on the side I feel like im going to fall. It just feels too loose to me, not a good loose.

[snozzboarder55]

I don't know I've been boarding on my friends rides and mine still seems very loose. I just went down a decent sized hill and I can't stand up slide, when I try to make a carve I am going so fast if I put the least pressure on the side I feel like im going to fall. It just feels too loose to me, not a good loose.

what is your background in skating? because if you are cranking down the kingpin and cutting the bushing with the washer because it's so tight, it sounds like you just need to get used to way longboards feel.

[tab1293]

what is your background in skating? because if you are cranking down the kingpin and cutting the bushing with the washer because it's so tight, it sounds like you just need to get used to way longboards feel.

Maybe I do, I've rode a my friends sector 9s which feel more like skateboards. But I recently learned how to slide one my friends dervish, and yes the trucks were loose but less loose than mine. I think I may just have to take my board to him, something just doesn't feel right. Maybe this is the way its going to have to be and I'm just going to have to get used to it. But will softer bushings allow for me to tighten my kingping more? I mine as well just try to see if thats all i need, bushings don't cost that much.

[snozzboarder55]

Maybe I do, I've rode a my friends sector 9s which feel more like skateboards. But I recently learned how to slide one my friends dervish, and yes the trucks were loose but less loose than mine. I think I may just have to take my board to him, something just doesn't feel right. Maybe this is the way its going to have to be and I'm just going to have to get used to it. But will softer bushings allow for me to tighten my kingping more? I mine as well just try to see if thats all i need, bushings don't cost that much.

if you crank them down you'll run into the same problem you have now regardless of how soft or hard the bushing is.

im gonna recommend that you get some venoms because they have a much better rebound than randals' bushings, with that in mind maybe your board won't lean as easily giving you a "tighter" feel. for your weight get the 85a or 90a barrels.

there are other bushings like reflex and sabre but i havent ridden them so i cant tell you how the are.

[tab1293]

ok thanks, I appreciate your guys help a lot. I will let you know how it goes.

I don't think this is it but do you think maybe because I am using a ratchet instead of a skate tool this could be causing the problem?

[jabobstro]

bigger washers

[AlecModified]

Venom eliminator 85a bushings on bottom, venom standard 85a barrels on top. It seems to me you're concerned with getting your trucks super tight, like a shortboard. You need to just cruise up and down an empty parking lot carving a little bit for hours til you adjust. Don't jump into hills, or trying to slide if you can barely ride the board comfortably. Unsafe, and you won't learn to slide that way. Goodluck!

[snozzboarder55]

Venom eliminator 85a bushings on bottom, venom standard 85a barrels on top. It seems to me you're concerned with getting your trucks super tight, like a shortboard. You need to just cruise up and down an empty parking lot carving a little bit for hours til you adjust. Don't jump into hills, or trying to slide if you can barely ride the board comfortably. Unsafe, and you won't learn to slide that way. Goodluck!

i dont know about elims, he said randal 92a are too loose, so with elims he is gonna lean more which may give a "loose" feel to the trucks, i say stick with barrels. but i agree with everything else.

[partninjas]

Things of note:

I weight 150lbs. So my bushing setup will be similar.

The stock Randal bushings, while being a hard 92a are still very carvey for someone 140-150lbs because they are cones. Gettng fatter barrel bushings may be the shape you need.

If they are feeling too loose for you, and since you're new I really suggest investing in a handful of bushing duros to figure out what you need.

A lot of people diss on Khiro brand bushings and will tell you just to get venoms strait from the get go. Unless you don't mind spending the cash for venoms, khiros are a very cheap solution and work very well.

I suggest getting 2 packs ( 4 total barrels ) of 85a blue khiros and 2 packs of 90a red khiros. That should only run you about $12.

What others have already said is you are just going to have to get used to looser trucks. Without seeing your friends setups they may have crappier bushings. Randal bushings are actually quite nice when setup right. With your new barrels would recommend starting with the 85a barrels all around. If that doesnt work, put the 90a barrels on the bottom ( Boardside if your board is up side down while working on the trucks ) and leave the 85a barrels on the top. If that doesn't work then do the 90a barrels all around. With your weight you really shouldn't need over 90a.