Removal of the front wheel on the electric scooter Xiaomi M365: a complete analysis with the nuances

The Xiaomi M365 is one of the most popular and maintainable scooter in its class. But even with such robust equipment, tires, bearings, or wheel camera replacements are worn out over time. Removing the front wheel is a routine maintenance or emergency repair operation that every owner faces, but how do you do it right without damaging the brake disc, motor wires, or axle threads?

In this article, you'll find a step-by-step photo guide, a list of tools you need, and critical nuances that are not covered in standard manuals, how to avoid common mistakes (such as brake pad skews or ABS sensor cliff), and recommendations for post-dismantling maintenance. If you've never done electrical repair, don't worry: the process is easier than it seems if you know the sequence of actions.

⚠️ Important: Before starting work, be sure to discharge the scooter to 20-30% (but not to zero!). A fully charged battery when the contacts are accidentally closed can disable the controller or cause a fire. Use the multimeter to check the voltage at the battery terminals - it should not exceed 38-40 V.

Preparation: security tools and measures

You don’t need professional equipment to remove the front wheel of the Xiaomi M365, but you can’t do without a minimum set of tools.

• 🔧 A 5mm hex-sided key (for spinning the wheel axis) will do, and the Allen key will do, but you better use a quality tool with a magnetic tip, so you don't drop the bolts.
• 🔨 End key or head 14 mm (for axle nuts). Some modifications may require a 15 mm key, check the marking on the nut.
• 🛠️ Flat screwdriver (for braking cover) Preferably with insulated handle.
• 🧲 A magnet or fastener tray, little things like washers and nuts are easily lost, and finding them on the floor is a real puzzle.
• 📸 Photography smartphone. Take a picture of the location of the wires and sensors before dismantling, which will save hours when you build them back.

If you plan not only to remove the wheel, but also to replace the tire or bearings, additionally prepare:

• 🚴 Installation blades (2-3 pieces) to carry the tire. Don't use screwdrivers, they'll damage the rim!
• 🛢️ Bearing lubricant (e.g. Liqui Moly LM 50) Cheap Lithol -24 is not suitable - it thickens in the cold.
• 🧴 Degreasing agent (acetone or alcohol) for cleaning the axle and brake disc.

⚠️ Warning: Some craftsmen advise using WD-40 to unscrew the nuts. On a Xiaomi M365 scooter, this is strictly forbidden — the liquid will get on the brake pads and reduce their effectiveness by 30-40%. Instead, use a penetrating molybdenum-based lubricant (e.g., Molykote P-37).

Step 1: Dismantling the brakes

The front wheel of the Xiaomi M365 is integrated with the disc brake and ABS sensor (in the Pro and Pro 2 versions). To remove the wheel, you first need to release the brake pads and disconnect the wires.

1. Turn the scooter upside down, put the steering wheel on the floor. Don't put it on your side, it could damage the throttle handle or the display.
2. Remove the brake casing by pulling it up with a flat screwdriver, and it's mounted on two plastic latches -- don't put too much effort into breaking them.
3. Unscrew the two bolts of the brake caliper attachment (hexagon by 4 mm). Do not lose the spring washers - they prevent self-twisting.
4. Carefully pull the caliper aside and lock it with wire or rubber band. Don't hang it on the brake hose - it could break the hydraulic mainline!

⚠️ Warning: Xiaomi M365 Pro models have a ABS sensor installed from 2020, connected to the controller with a thin three-core wire. If you break it, the scooter will give an error E02 (brake system malfunction).

Shut off power to the scooter|Take a picture of the location of the wires|Label caliporal bolts|Lock the caliper with wire-->

Step 2: Unconnect motor wires and sensors

The front wheel of the Xiaomi M365 includes a built-in hub motor with three phase wires and a Hall sensor. If you just remove the tire replacement wheel, you don't have to disconnect the wires, but for complete dismantling (for example, when replacing bearings), this is necessary.

Shutdown algorithm:

1. Find the motor connector, which is located under a plastic cover near the wheel axis, and in models up to 2019, the connector is black, in new models it is white.
2. Carefully press the lock on the connector and pull it out. Don't pull the wires! If the connector is boiling, drop a little isopropyl alcohol and wait 2-3 minutes.
3. Disconnect the ABS sensor (if any) and its connector is usually blue and located next to the brake caliper.

💡 Useful tip: If you're afraid of mixing up the wires when you're backassembling, use shrink tubes of different colors to mark.

• 🔴 Red tube - Phase A
• 🟢 Green tube - phase B
• 🔵 Blue tube - phase C
• ⚪ White tube - Hall sensor

Step 3: Untwisting the wheel axis

Now, the most important part is the axis removal, where many people make mistakes that lead to thread damage or bearing skewing.

1. Holding the wheel with one hand, unscrew the counternut with the end key by 14 mm (or 15 mm). Rotate counterclockwise. If the nut fails, use the extension cord for the key or lightly tap it with a hammer.
2. On the other side of the axis, unscrew the bolt with a hexagon by 5 mm. It can be hidden under a plastic cap -- put it in a screwdriver.
3. Take the axle out of the bearings carefully. If it doesn't come out, don't hit it with a hammer! Fly with penetrating lubricant and wait 10 minutes, then try again.

⚠️ Warning: In some Xiaomi M365 scooters (especially after 2021), the axis is fixed with a lock ring. If the wheel is not removed after the nuts are unscrewed, check for it with a flashlight. Use circular pliers to remove the ring.

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If the axle is stuck to the bearings, do not try to knock it through the wheel with a hammer - this will deform the rim. Instead, heat the axle with a building hair dryer (not higher than 80 ° C) and gently tap it through a copper or aluminum spacer.

Step 4: Removing the wheel and checking the bearings

Once the axle is removed, the wheel should be easily removed from the fork, but if you feel resistance, do not apply force, check:

• 🔍 Did you forget to unscrew the brake caliper? It can cling to the disc.
• 🔍 Is there a locking ring left on the axle?
• 🔍 Have the bearings skewed? If the wheel is tight, they need to be replaced.

When the wheel is removed, check the bearings:

- Turn the inner ring: if you hear a crunch or backlash, the bearing is worn out.

Check the anthers: if they are torn, dirt gets inside, and the bearing will soon jam.

Evaluate the lubricant: if it is blackened or dried, replacement is required.

💡 Tip: Bearings in Xiaomi M365 are labeled 6004-2RS (size 20×42×12mm). Buy only closed bearings (with rubber seals) - open ones will quickly fail due to dust.

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Bearings are the most vulnerable part of the front wheel of the Xiaomi M365. Their resource is 10-15 thousand km, but when driving on wet roads or sand wear accelerates 3-4 times. Regular cleaning and lubrication prolong the service life by 30-50%.

Step 5: Backbuilding – How to Avoid Mistakes

Wheel assembly is a reverse-disassembly process, but with a number of critical nuances.

1. Correct axis tightening: The nut must be twisted at 40-50 Nm. The pulled axis increases the resistance to rotation, the undertight axis leads to the backlash of the wheel. Use the dynamometer key or focus on the "click" of the rattle key.
2. Position of brake pads: After installing the caliper, check that the gap between the pads and the disc is 0.3-0.5 mm. If the gap is smaller, the brake will be wedged, if more, the braking efficiency will fall.
3. Wire connection: Make sure the motor connector clicks to the characteristic click. If the contact is not tight, the scooter will twitch when accelerating.

⚠️ Warning: After assembly, make sure to check the brakes when idling! Press the brake lever, the wheel must lock smoothly, without creaking. If you hear metal grinding, the pads are curved and tindered against the disc.

🔧 Post-assembly test:

Scroll the wheel with your hand - it should rotate easily and silently (without "eight").

- Turn on the scooter and check the diagnostic mode (hold the power button for 5 seconds).

Drive 10-20 meters at low speed, listening to outside sounds.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you dismantle it carefully, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

💡 Useful life hack: If the scooter gets worse after assembly, check the belt tension (in belt models) and the belt stretches over time, and it needs to be tightened by a hexagon 3 mm under the plastic cover.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions