Discover how to eliminate that rattling or buzzing noise!
Welcome to the SkateHut Help Zone—your online guide for everything related to skate and scoot. If your scooter has been making unusual noises recently, such as rattling and buzzing upon impact, it might need to be dialed in. By following the steps below, you can learn how to properly tighten your scooter from the handlebars to the wheels!
Nowadays, most scooters are used for tricks and are considered extreme sports equipment. Therefore, it's important to maintain your scooter in good condition. A well-dialed scooter should make a soft, quiet thud when its wheels hit the ground. A scooter that needs tightening will produce a more rattling sound when it hits the ground wheels first.
Advantages of having a dialed scooter:
- Your tricks will appear smoother
- Your scooter will be more enjoyable to ride
- Your scooter will sound better when hitting the ground
- Your scooter will have a longer lifespan!
If you prefer to leave it to the experts, many skate shops offer this service, including your Local SkateHut shop. At SkateHut, you can have your scooter adjusted for just £4.95. What a deal! However, if you're the DIY type, follow the steps below to dial your scooter yourself.
What you'll need:
- 2x 5mm allen keys
- 2x 6mm allen keys (For high tensile axles, Blunt fasen scooters, or Ethic scooters)
- 1x 13mm spanner or a skate T tool (Ethic scooters only) (scooters using high tensile bolts)
- 1x 25mm spanner (MGP scooters and scooters with threaded forks)
Dialing Your Scooter
1. THE BACK WHEEL
To tighten your back wheel, insert the allen key into the centre of the axle and tighten it by turning clockwise. Adjust until any side-to-side movement is eliminated. If your wheel has 2 5mm bolts on each side, you'll need two 5mm allen keys to hold each side and turn one clockwise. Then, ensure the wheel spins smoothly and freely.
If your wheels still wobble when you try to move them side to side, it might be time for new bearings. Alternatively, the bolts might be stripped, in which case you'll need to replace them.
2. THE BRAKE
Securing the brake can be very straightforward depending on its location. You'll find the attachment on either the top or bottom of the deck where the brake is mounted. Again, use the allen key to tighten by turning clockwise. Ensure it's snug but not over-tightened to avoid stripping the bolts. Some decks, like those from District Scooters, might require a wrench or needle-nose pliers for this task.
3. CLAMPS
If your clamp needs tightening, check that there is still a gap between its two sides. Again, use the allen key to tighten the clamp by turning clockwise. If the clamp is fully closed and there are no visible gaps where you can see the bolts, it means the clamp is overextended and needs replacing.
If your clamp has 3 or 4 bolts, make sure to tighten each bolt evenly. This will help the clamp last longer.
4. COMPRESSION
IHC - For IHC compression, remove the clamp and handlebars. Once removed, the compression bolt will be visible at the top of the forks. The best way to tighten this is to first loosen the bolt, then tighten it firmly again. To ensure it's tight enough, hold the front wheel and the rear of the deck and pull them towards you. If they move, tighten further; if not, reassemble the handlebars and clamp.
SCS - With SCS, you'll need to undo the clamp and remove the handlebars. In the centre of the clamp is an allen head bolt, your compression bolt. Tighten this by occasionally checking by pulling the front wheel and rear of the deck towards each other. When there's no movement, it's dialed, and you can reassemble the handlebars and tighten the clamp.
HIC - This compression is adjusted in the same way as IHC. Remove the clamp and handlebars, then locate the allen head bolt at the top of the forks. Loosen the bolt first, then tighten it firmly. Check tightness by holding the front wheel and rear of the deck and pulling them towards you. If they move, tighten further; if not, reassemble the handlebars and clamp.
5. FRONT WHEEL
As with tightening the back wheel, insert the allen key into the centre of the axle. Turn clockwise to tighten until any side-to-side rocking is eliminated. Then, ensure the wheel spins smoothly and freely.
Lastly, conduct the drop test on your scooter. Grasp the scooter by the handles, raise it 2-3 inches from the ground, and release it so the wheels strike the floor. If you've followed the previous instructions, you should hear a satisfying, muted thud indicating a well-tuned scooter. If a rattling sound persists, visit your nearest skate shop for a closer examination.
Considering an upgrade? Explore our latest collection of stunt scooters. Alternatively, go for a unique touch by designing your own scooter, and we'll assemble it for you using our Custom Scooter Builder !