How to Change Wheel Skewers on Bicycle?

The skewer is the axle on bicycles with quick-release wheels. As your bicycle gets older, your skewers may become worn or damaged and need replacing, or you might want to upgrade to a better set of skewers. Installing new bicycle skewers is a simple procedure that requires no tools and only a little axle grease to accomplish. Take care to properly adjust your new skewers so they are neither too tight, which can bind the wheel against the frame, nor too loose, which may allow the wheel to come off the bike entirely.

Release the brake cable or let some air out of the tire to make it easier to remove the wheel from the bicycle. Open the quick-release lever on the old bicycle skewer and remove the wheel from the bicycle.

Grasp the skewer acorn nut on one side of the axle in one hand. With your other hand, turn the quick-release lever to rotate the skewer counterclockwise and loosen the acorn nut.

Unthread the acorn nut with your fingers and remove it from the skewer. Pull the quick-release handle away from the axle to remove the old skewer rod from the axle. Thread the acorn nut back on the skewer rod and set the old skewer aside.

Unscrew the acorn nut from the new skewer. Apply a thin layer of axle grease to the new skewer rod. Place the quick-release lever in the open position.

Insert the skewer rod through the axle. Thread the new acorn nut onto the skewer rod until it is finger tight. Replace the bicycle wheel on the bicycle frame.

Align the quick-release lever, so it is along the bicycle frame when in the closed position. Close the quick-release lever to ensure the skewer grips the frame firmly and holds the wheel in place.

Adjust the skewer if it is either too tight or too loose. Open the quick release and turn the acorn nut clockwise to tighten or counterclockwise to loosen the nut. Once properly adjusted, close the quick release lever.

Repeat the procedure on the other wheel.