Am I loosening trucks on a skateboard correctly?

Question

OK, so I loosened the big nut on each truck about 1.5 full turns each, and it doesn't seem to have made a big difference. If I skate 15 feet, I can only make it about 45 degrees to the left or right from where I started. Also, I've noticed that my trucks make a loud creaking noise when I turn. I can also see the wheels get bent slightly inward when I turn. Is something wrong here? Something doesn't feel right.

Answer 1

Nothing's wrong.

Try loosening them up more.   Start where the nuts are flush with the end of the kingpin and tighten the trucks about 1/4 turn until you get the setting you want.  If the nut is flush and they still are too tight, get some softer bushings.  They're about $7.00 for a set.

The creaking noise is just the bushings rubbing against the metal on the trucks.  It is normal, but if you find it distracting, put some powdered graphite on any contact points.  

The inward bending of the axles is how a board steers.