So you thought all washers were created equal…. So did I till I tried out these Griffin Axcelspring Washers. On first glance the just look like really beautifully machined precision cut washers, which they are. After some reading I found out that all the nice lines cut into the washer are functional, they allow the washer to grip the surface of your trucks as well as gripping to bushing it’s self to reduce play, premature wear and unnecessary kingpin breakage. On closer inspection of the packaging I noticed something a little different, a crazy star lock washer and a ringed surface on the Washers. “What the hell is that going to do?” I thought, well let me tell you it did a hell of a lot. Following the instructions I received from Griffin I placed my star lock washer in between the head of my kingpin and the beautifully machined washer cup, which took some forcing to squeeze into my bushings as there is a lip on the washer that ensures there is no play between the kingpin and washer, which will reduce kingpin breakage, so don’t be afraid to apply a little force.

The first thing I noticed was as that once set up I was able to run my trucks a little looser than normal (I ride 97a and 93a bushings in Randall 180′s) without having that really unstable crappy feeling. When I adjusted my trucks and got ready to bomb some hills I figured the Axcelspring washer wasn’t going to make a difference now that my trucks were back to their super tight downhill setup, I was wrong. As I got up to speed I noticed something amazing, my ride was smoother, this is a run I do every sunny day and my feet are usually pretty fatigued by the end of the run but not this time. The Axcelspring Washer had done more than it’s job, buy allowing a little bit of play in my bushing setup this system had succeed in reducing some of the rolling vibrations that eventually tire out the feet and thus the rider.

Its not like these are shocks for your skateboard and Griffin Doesn’t even advertise the vibration reduction as a feature so don’t expect that you’ll be able to roll right up a curb now that you have spring washers, and also realize that the main purpose of these cups is to prolong the life of your bushings and kingpins, but do expect the Griffin Axcelspring Washer to do everything advertised and more. This is Patrick Montgomery for AXS Reviews saying, these washers rule they’re staying in my trucks for sure!

Here’s what Griffin Skateboards had to say about their Axcelsping Washer Cups

Axcelspring Washer Cups

At Griffin Skateboards we have noticed there is a problem with the standard washer cups on all stock skateboard trucks today. People are snapping their kingpins on their trucks left and right. The grade 8 washer and grade 8 kingpin in combination with bushings that are too soft are hanging up the kingpin and snapping it. Old traditional washer cups surf around on the bushing and the cup and on the kingpin too much. It’s about tine we have a state of the art washer that works to keep riders safe, we have been working on solving this problem since 2009. We believe we have the solution, the Axcelspring Washer cup.

Why Are These Better?

The center sleeve puts the pressure on the center of the bushing giving it more energy, The facing of the Washer cups is ringed to give extra grip to grab onto the base plate as well as the bushing. These washers will help save your bushings from getting mangled by the king pin threads. No movement equals straight power. It’s made in the U.S.A. in a one inch size and from machined 303 stainless steel. We will be coming out with other sizes soon.

How do I install them?

Take the Axcelspring washer cup, lay it on the table, take the bushing and push it into the sleeve (it should snap into the bushing). A harder bushing will need a little more work. If you have difficulties take the kingpin point the head down towards the table and add the Axcelspring washer then add the bushing it should snap into place. The star washer goes under the lock nut and on top of the washer cup. For inverted kingpins, It goes under the kingpin head on top of the washer cup. You want the star washer, Axcelspring washer cup bushing and kingpin to be tight with the locknut to make the system work best.

For more information on Griffin Skateboards Click HERE. Or check out their web site www.griffinskateboards.com

Review by Patrick Montgomery