1 Kingpin Nut

Secures the components along the kingpin. Tightening and loosening this nut will determine the degree of turn you have in your trucks. Kingpin nuts require a 9/16" socket wrench or a skate tool.

2 Kingpin Washer

Placed above the top bushing, and below the bottom bushing, the kingpin washers ensure consistent turning, as well as keeping the bushing seated properly. A properly fitted kingpin washer (one that fits the bushing well, often made by the same brand as the bushing itself) will keep the bushing from “blowing out”, extending the life and rebound of the bushing.

3 Bushing

Bushings are what allow the truck to turn consistently. Made from the same or similar urethane as skateboard wheels, the hardness of the bushings combined with the tightness of the kingpin nut control how loose or tight your trucks feel. As the rider’s weight increases, harder bushings may be needed to offset the durometer of the bushings.

• Soft Bushings (80–90d): Looser, more carvey feeling
• Medium Bushings (90–95d): Stable whilst still manoeuvrable
• Hard Bushings (95–100d): Very stable, almost stiff

4 Axle

The axle is the metal rod that runs through the hanger of the truck, and holds the wheels. Generally the axle length is the basis for deciding which size truck to purchase. Ideally, the axle length should be within 1/4" of the deck width. If the truck axle width is too small, the board will feel unstable; too wide and the board will be difficult to flip and manoeuvre.

5 Pivot Cup

The pivot cup holds the truck hanger in place. Similar to the bushings, there is a small piece of urethane sitting inside the pivot cup housing to allow for smooth turning, and for the truck to spring back into its natural position after turning. If your trucks are squeaky, this is the most common place for the squeaking to come from. To ease this sound, remove the hanger from the baseplate and shave some wax shavings into the pivot cup itself. This will remove some friction from the inside of the pivot cup and remove most of the squeaking sound.

6 Axle Nut

The axle nut holds the wheels onto the axle. Overtightening the axle nuts can cause bearing breakage, and slower riding overall. Ensure there is a little bit of wiggle room between the wheel and the axle nut when affixing the wheels to the axles. Axle nuts require a 3/8" socket wrench or a skate tool.

7 Axle Washer

Axle washers or “speed rings” allow for some extra space between the bearings and the hanger and axle nuts. The washers fit loosely onto the axle, allowing for free movement of the wheel and bearing to act as one piece, unencumbered by the hanger or axle nut.

8 Hanger

The hanger is the meat of the truck. Often made from an aluminium alloy, some hangers are made from titanium or magnesium for lighter weight. There are two main ways hangers are formed — Cast and Forged. Cast trucks are made by pouring molten metal into a mould and allowing it to set. This is the most common manufacturing method, and found in most trucks as standard. Forged trucks are often lighter and thinner than cast trucks, whilst retaining strength and durability.

9 Kingpin

The kingpin is the rod that holds the truck together. Most commonly found in standard kingpins in which the kingpin nut affixes to the top. Inverted kingpin trucks are becoming more common, with most truck brands having their own version of an inverted kingpin design. Inverted kingpins allow for the threading to be reversed, screwing into the baseplate without the need for a kingpin nut. This increases the grind clearance of the truck.

10 Baseplate

The baseplate is the foundation of the truck, and can be manufactured from many different materials. The baseplate is bolted directly to the deck and helps distribute the impact applied to it by tricks. This is where the geometry of the truck is based, and the most important part of the truck in regards to wheelbase. Similar to the hanger, the baseplate can be manufactured either Cast or Forged.