ISSA - International Slalom Skateboarding Association

Yes a hammer will work. However, make sure you are hammering the right way. One side of the axle has a knurl on it to press into the hanger. You want that knurl to exit the hanger instead of going all the way through.

You will usually not need to ream out a larger diameter in the hanger. The 8mm axle will press in just fine, maybe a little more snug than the old axle. Of course, the knurl on the 8mm axle should be made the same size as that on the axle you removed.

I apologize if this topic has been covered elsewhere previously ....

1) In removing an axle from a hanger, is it acceptable to hammer it out? I'm assuming that pressing it out is preferrable, but I don't have a press. I'm just wondering if the experience of others' has shown hammering to be too damaging. If anyone has had success hammering, how did you do it?

2) For slightly increasing the size of the axle hole in the hanger to 8mm, has anyone used a rod & sanding paper? What about re-drilling?

Many thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their knowledge and experiences.