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How to Fix Yoyo Ball Bearings

24.10.2025 On 12.11.2024

We’ve all experienced that moment when our favorite yoyo suddenly doesn’t feel quite right. Maybe it’s making strange noises, or perhaps yoyo has unexpectedly responsive when it should be unresponsive? You’re pobably asking yourself, “How do I fix yoyo ball bearings?”

We’re here to help you get your yoyo back to peak performance with this guide on how to remove, clean, and maintain your ball bearing with tips:

When to Clean Your Yoyo Ball Bearing

Before we dive into the cleaning process, it’s important to note that less maintenance is often better. Here’s what you should do first:

Keep playing: Sometimes, the issue resolves itself with continued use.
Be patient: Don’t rush to clean your bearing at the first sign of trouble. Frequent removal can have negative long-term effects.
Only clean when necessary: If the problem persists after extended play, it’s time to consider cleaning.

Removing the Yoyo Ball Bearing

If cleaning is necessary, you’ll need to remove the bearing first. Here are two methods:

1. Using a Multitool (Recommended)

A multitool is designed to fit the inner dimension of the bearing:

Insert the multitool into the bearing until you hear a click.
Remove the bearing at an angle, using a gentle wiggling motion.
Repeat this process until the bearing comes out completely.

2. Using Pliers (Use with caution)

If you don’t have a multitool, pliers can work, but be extremely careful:

Cover the bearing with a cloth to protect it.
Gently grip the bearing with the pliers.
Use a rocking motion to carefully remove the bearing.
Be very careful not to apply too much pressure, as this can damage the bearing.

Note: The plier method works best with flat bearings like SPEC C.

How to Clean the Yoyo Ball Bearing

Once you’ve removed the bearing, follow these steps to clean it:

Place the bearing in a small container.
Pour in enough lighter fluid to completely submerge the bearing.
Shake the container gently.
Remove the bearing with tweezers and give it a spin.
Repeat the process a few times for thorough cleaning.
Place the clean bearing on a napkin to dry completely.

Once the ball bearing is fully dry, carefully put it back into your yoyo. Test it out by playing for about 15 minutes. The issue should resolve itself by then.

Yoyo Ball Bearing Oils

While cleaning is often sufficient, you may prefer a different soultion in maintaining your ball bearings for specific purposes. These two oils provide a different maintenance experience to fix yoyo ball bearings.

Long Spin Oil:

Long Spin Oil is a think lubricant that is intended primarily for unresponsive, advanced yoyos. It is best to use on a Center Trac C Ball Bearing.

Improves bearing longevity
Slightly increases responsiveness, yet corrects itself over time
Best for players seeking extended spin times

Loop/Response Oil

Loop/Response Oil has a thicker consistency that makes your yoyo VERY responsive. It’s so thick that it can even change an unresponsive bearing into responsive.