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How to Replace Your Waterborne Surf Adapter Bushing
You can replace your Waterborne Surf Adapter bushing with a RipTide bushing to get more range of motion and rebound. Learn how to do it in this Waterborne Surf Adapter replacement tutorial.
Watch How to Replace Your Waterborne Surf Adapter Bushing on YouTube
One of the simplest and best ways to upgrade your surfskate is to replace your surfskate bushings with aftermarket upgrades.
One of the most well-known and popular aftermarket bushing companies is RipTide Sports. They recently came out with a bushing for the Waterborne Surf Adapter in three durometers.
RipTide Waterborne Surf Adapter bushings are made with RipTide’s APS urethane formula, which stands for “Animated Polymer System.” RipTide explains,
“As the name implies, this compound is very lively and offers high rebound with lots of control and lean. For the same durometer, the APS will turn 10% to 15% more than the same durometer of other brands.”
So with a RipTide Waterborne Surf Adapter bushing, you’ll get more range of motion combined with greater rebound. It makes your surfskate feel more “surfy” and lively.
How to Choose the Right RipTide Waterborne Surf Adapter Bushing Durometer
Your first step of replacing your Waterborne Surf Adapter bushing is to make sure that you choose the right durometer for your weight and preference.
The stock Waterborne Surf Adapter bushing comes in 95a durometer. RipTide bushings for the Waterborne Surf Adapter come in three different durometers: 92.5a, 95a, and 97.5a.
For most riders who weigh between about 165 and 200 pounds, the red 95a will probably be the best Waterborne Surf Adapter bushing replacement.
If you weigh less than about 165 pounds and you want an even softer feel than you get out of the Waterborne bushing, then you may want to go with the blue 92.5a.
If you weigh about 185 pounds or more and you want a little bit of a stiffer, snappier feel than you get out of the stock Waterborne Surf Adapter bushing, then you may want to go up to the 97.5a durometer.
You may even want to get all three so you can experiment.
How to Remove Your Waterborne Surf Adapter Bushing
There are two ways to remove your Waterborne Surf Adapter bushing. One involves a hammer, and the other requires nothing but a skate tool and channel locks.
Method #1: Use Channel Locks to Pull the Bushing Out
Let’s start with the easy way, which is to use channel locks.
Your first step is to remove the kingpin nut on your surf adapter. You can do this with either a skate tool or a ratchet wrench.
With your kingpin nut removed, you can remove your trucks and the bottom half of the surf adapter together.
You do not have to remove the trucks from your surf adapter. Just keep them on to make the process easier.
You’ll see a set of washers and bearings on top of the surf adapter piece. Just keep those on and set the whole thing aside.
Inside the surf adapter you’ll see a cube-shaped bushing. The bushing is surrounded by another set of washers and bearings.
Use a small screwdriver to remove the washers and bearings. Place them to the side, keeping them together and right-side up.
Next, use channel locks to latch onto opposite corners of the surf adapter bushing. Twist back and forth while pulling upward.
Some Waterborne Surf Adapter bushings are easier to remove than others. This may be difficult and take some time.
Method #2: Use a Hammer to Tap the Kingpin Out
If you’re unable to remove the bushing using channel locks, then you may need to use a hammer to tap the kingpin out.
If you do it this way, DO NOT hammer the kingpin itself. If you do, you can damage the threads and you won’t be able to get your nut back on.
So your first step is to screw your kingpin nut onto the top of your kingpin. Keep it flush with the top of the kingpin, or even slightly protruding. This will prevent you from hammering and damaging the kingpin threads.
Now use a hammer to tap the kingpin out, using as little force as possible. You’ll find that it’s fairly easy to do.
With your kingpin tapped out, it’s now easy to remove the bushing.
Then you’ll tap the kingpin back into place.
How to Install Your RipTide Waterborne Surf Adapter Bushing
Once your bushing is removed, simply replace it with the RipTide Waterborne Surf Adapter bushing of your choice.
You’ll note that one end of the bushing has rounded edges, and the other end has sharp edges. This doesn’t matter. You can put the bushing in either way.
Push the bushing down into the channel until it stops.
Next, put your set of internal washers and bearings back into place around the bushing.
Finally, put the bottom piece of the surf adapter, which includes your trucks, back into place.
Screw the kingpin nut on until it stops, but the surf adapter still moves freely.
So as you can see, it’s fairly easy to replace the Waterborne Surf Adapter bushing. It’s an easy upgrade that will make a big difference to your ride.
