Electric Skateboard Belt Replacement Guide — Simple Steps That Actually Work

Replacing a belt on your electric skateboard sounds intimidating if you have never done it before. It is actually one of the simplest maintenance tasks you will ever do on your board — no special skills required, just a few tools and about ten minutes of your time.

I have been manufacturing belt drive electric skateboards for nearly 10 years. Here is exactly how we do it.

When Do You Need to Replace Your Belt?

Two situations will tell you it is time for a new belt:

You can see damage on the belt. Look closely at the belt teeth — the rubber ridges that grip the pulleys. If you see any small cracks, fraying, or tears along the belt, replace it now. Do not wait for it to snap mid-ride. A snapped belt at speed is both annoying and potentially dangerous.

You are changing your wheels. When swapping wheels, you will often change the wheel pulley at the same time — and a new pulley may require a different belt length. However, this is not always the case. If the new wheel is compatible with the same pulley as your old wheel, you can keep the same belt.

For example: swapping from 105mm cloud wheels to 120mm cloud wheels does not require a new pulley or belt, because both wheel sizes work with the same 40T ABEC pulley. But if you are moving to a completely different wheel type that needs a different pulley, a new belt will likely be needed too.

When in doubt, check with your board’s manufacturer before ordering parts.

A healthy belt should look clean and even, with no visible damage on the teeth or the body of the belt.

What You Need

  • A new replacement belt (make sure it matches your board’s spec — check your brand’s website for the correct belt size)
  • An Allen key set (most electric skateboard motor bolts use 3mm or 4mm)
  • A wrench or socket set for the wheel nut
  • Five to ten minutes

That is it. No special tools, no technical background required.

Step-by-Step: How to Replace the Belt

Step 1 — Loosen the Motor Mounting Bolts

Your motor is attached to the motor mount with four bolts. Using your Allen key, loosen all four bolts — but do not remove them completely. You just want them loose enough that the motor can slide back and forth within the mounting slots on the motor plate.

This sliding movement is how you control belt tension. The motor needs to be able to move freely at this stage.

Step 2 — Remove the Wheel, Pulley, and Old Belt

With the motor loose, slide it toward the wheel to create slack in the belt. Now remove the wheel using your wrench. Once the wheel is off, you can slide the old belt off the motor gear and the wheel pulley. Remove the wheel pulley from the axle as well.

Take a quick look at the old belt before you throw it away. If the teeth are worn smooth or the body of the belt has cracked, that confirms it needed replacing. If the belt snapped cleanly, it may have just been over-tensioned — something to keep in mind when you install the new one.

Step 3 — Install the New Pulley and Belt

Slide the wheel pulley back onto the axle. Now loop the new belt over the motor gear first, then stretch it over the wheel pulley teeth. Make sure the belt teeth are properly seated in the grooves on both pulleys — run your finger along the belt to check that nothing is sitting crooked or skipping a tooth.

Step 4 — Tension the Belt and Tighten the Motor Bolts

This is the most important step and the one most people get wrong the first time.

Grip the motor firmly with one hand and pull it away from the wheel pulley — this is what creates tension in the belt. While holding that tension with one hand, use your other hand to tighten the four motor mounting bolts with your Allen key.

The goal is a belt that has a small amount of flex when you press on it — roughly 3 to 5mm of movement when you push the middle of the belt with your finger. Too tight and you will put excessive strain on your motor bearings and reduce range. Too loose and the belt will slip under acceleration and make a clicking noise when you brake.

Step 5 — Check Both Sides and Install the Wheel

If your board has two motors, repeat the process on the other side. Once both belts are installed, check the tension on each side. They do not need to be perfectly identical — a small difference is completely normal and acceptable. However, if one belt feels significantly tighter or looser than the other, redo that side.

Once you are happy with the tension on both sides, reinstall the wheels and tighten the wheel nuts.

Quick Test Before You Ride

Before you ride, flip the board upside down so the wheels and motors are facing up. Turn the board on and use your remote to slowly run the motors. Listen carefully to the belt and pulley as they spin — you want to hear a smooth, consistent sound with no clicking, slipping, or skipping. Clicking usually means the belt is too loose. A high-pitched whining or grinding sound can mean the belt is too tight or is not sitting correctly on the pulley teeth.

Once everything sounds good, flip the board back over and take it for a short slow test ride to confirm.

How Often Should You Replace Your Belt?

There is no fixed schedule — it depends entirely on how much you ride, what surfaces you ride on, and how hard you ride. As a general guide:

  • Casual city riding: belts can last 6 months to over a year
  • Hard riding, hills, rough roads: expect to replace belts every 2 to 4 months
  • After any wheel upgrade: always check belt fit and condition before riding

The best habit is to give your belt a quick visual check every few rides. It takes ten seconds and will save you from being stranded with a snapped belt.

One More Thing: Always Keep a Spare Belt

Belts are cheap — usually $5 to $15 depending on the brand. A snapped belt means you are pushing a heavy board home by foot. Keep one or two spare belts in your bag or at home. It is the kind of preparation that feels unnecessary until the moment you need it.

Replacing your belt is one of those maintenance tasks that looks harder than it is. Once you have done it once, you will be able to do it in under five minutes. And knowing how to do it yourself means you are never dependent on a shop or waiting for a repair service when your belt gives out.

Ride smart.

#electric skateboard #maintenance #belt drive #how to

About the Author

Vic (Jianhui Duan) — Co-founder, Verreal Boards

Electric Skateboard Manufacturer · 10 Years in the Industry

Vic has spent nearly 10 years manufacturing electric skateboards, shipping thousands of boards to riders across the United States, Europe, and beyond. As co-founder of Verreal Boards, he works directly with motor suppliers, sources battery cells, and oversees every component that goes into a Verreal electric skateboard. He started Ride and Reason to share what the electric skateboard industry doesn't tell you.

Have a question about electric skateboards? Email: hi@rideandreason.com or join our community on Discord — direct access to engineers from brands like Hobbywing, Meepo, Backfire and more.

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