[Druidia]

I want to replace the plastic wheels of my office chair with skateboard wheels like these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CTIG4G...olid=19U4M5DG9MHKK&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I have very good experience using skateboard wheels on my luggages and rolling briefcases/bags. I install them myself. They're quiet and rolls very very very smoothly.

Looking at the reviews of the various skateboard wheels (from $20+ to $50+ wheel sets) on Amazon, however, they all seem to have the same problem - the two swivel bearings (not the bearings through which the wheel axle goes through) just below the stem fall apart, scattering its bearings all over the floor. Why do they do that? Is it just a case of overloading (very heavy people)? Is it due to cheap bearings in which case can those bearings be replaced with a good-quality pair (recommendations?)?

 

[Msradell]

My thought is that the major reason for wheel failing on skateboards is because of the impact loading they take. Bearings are designed to roll in most cases, not take heart impact loading. When you do ramp jumps, board flips etc. you're going to rapidly destroy the wheel bearings and probably the wheels in many cases.

 

[Clydy]

I saw the wheels which you talk about when I was a kid, my classmates and I were fond of skateboarding. The richest of us had a cool German skate and several sets of spare wheels for it. So these wheels were mounted on a large bolt and rotated on their own bearing, which could be lubricated.

 

[Bud9051]

When I shopped for a new office chair they stated max weight 250 pounds. I was just over that so have been careful, no grandkids jumping into my lap. But it clearly implies there are limits to their design. I suspect you could search out a replacement swivel wheel for your chair with a higher capacity. If it was a direct replacement it would be a much easier fix.

Bud

 

[Mystriss]

I got these ones in January https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XHV9BY1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Haven't had any trouble at all yet... I mean other than my house has a bit of a slant so my chair randomly rolls across the room when no one's using it. The kid's have started joking that the house is haunted...

 

[Druidia]

I want to replace the plastic wheels of my office chair with skateboard wheels like these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CTIG4G...olid=19U4M5DG9MHKK&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I have very good experience using skateboard wheels on my luggages and rolling briefcases/bags. I install them myself. They're quiet and rolls very very very smoothly.

Looking at the reviews of the various skateboard wheels (from $20+ to $50+ wheel sets) on Amazon, however, they all seem to have the same problem - the two swivel bearings (not the bearings through which the wheel axle goes through) just below the stem fall apart, scattering its bearings all over the floor. Why do they do that? Is it just a case of overloading (very heavy people)? Is it due to cheap bearings in which case can those bearings be replaced with a good-quality pair (recommendations?)?

Clarification:
There are two pairs of bearings on these chair wheel casters:
1. the horizontal bearings just below the stem. The two bearings sandwich the top of the bracket.
2. the vertical bearings through which the wheel axle goes through.

My question was about #1 - the horizontal bearings. Why is it that the negative reviews, on this type of wheel casters, mention the same problem - the horizontal bearings failing with the balls falling out? Is it just because the reviewers were overweight? Or are there some other reasons why this would happen? I’m interested in “other reasons” because weight wouldn’t be a problem for me. I’m only 123 lbs.

 

[Druidia]

My thought is that the major reason for wheel failing on skateboards is because of the impact loading they take. Bearings are designed to roll in most cases, not take heart impact loading. When you do ramp jumps, board flips etc. you're going to rapidly destroy the wheel bearings and probably the wheels in many cases.

No ramp jumps. Question was about wheels on chairs.

 

[Druidia]

I got these ones in January https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XHV9BY1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Haven't had any trouble at all yet... I mean other than my house has a bit of a slant so my chair randomly rolls across the room when no one's using it. The kid's have started joking that the house is haunted...

Thanks. I added it to my list of wheels I’m considering. I also factor in warranty (at least 5 yrs since my CC adds additional warranty years) because the negative reviews for this type of chair wheels mention failure after a few years.

 

[huesmann]

You asked why the top bearings fall apart, and my suspicion is that it's because the loads on them are not coaxial or coplanar. The load on the "stem" is a moment load, because the contact point of the wheel on the floor is offset from the stem.