How to adjust the brakes on the Xiaomi scooter: disc, electronic and mechanical systems

Xiaomi scooters are some of the most popular vehicles in the city, but even they require regular maintenance, especially the brake system: over time, the brake pads wear out, the cable stretches, and the electronic brake can start to work with a delay. If you notice that the scooter is braking worse, you hear foreign sounds or the brake lever has become too soft, it's time to adjust.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to set up disc, electronic (regenerative) and mechanical (drum) brakes on Xiaomi models. M365, Pro 2, 4 Pro, Essential, and more, and you'll learn what tools you need, how to avoid common mistakes, and when to get in the service. And if you've never done a repair job, don't worry: we'll give you step-by-step instructions with photos and videos that will help even a beginner.

What brakes are installed on your Xiaomi scooter?

Before you start adjusting, you need to determine which braking system is on your model, and the tools and the algorithm of actions depend on it. Xiaomi has three types of brakes:

• 🔧 Disk mechanical - the most common option (installed on the M365, Pro 1/2, 4 The braking occurs by pressing the pads against the metal disc on the wheel.
• ⚡ Electronic (regenerative) – use the engine to slow down (found on the Pro 2, 4 Pro paired with mechanical) Can be configured through the Mi Home app.
• 🛠️ Drums are an outdated type that can be found on early versions. M365 (until 2018.Adjusted through cable tension.

To find out exactly the type of brakes, check the rear wheel:

• If you see a metal disc attached to the hub, you have a disk system.
• If the brake mechanism is hidden inside the wheel and works when pressing the lever without visible pads, it is a drum brake.
• If during braking the scooter slightly "squats" back and the application has a setup of braking force - then there is an electronic brake.

Most modern models (Pro 2, 4 Pro, Essential) use a disc combination. + So this increases reliability, but it makes it harder to set up, and you have to adjust both systems.

When you need to adjust the brakes: 5 obvious signs

Don't wait for the brakes to fail completely. There are a few signals that indicate that you need to adjust:

1. The braking distance has increased - the scooter stops longer than usual, even with a sharp press on the lever.
2. Extraneous sounds - creaking, grinding or knocking when braking (most often caused by wear of pads or getting dirt).
3. The lever of the brake has become too soft - it fails without resistance or, conversely, requires a lot of effort.
4. Uneven braking – the scooter takes you aside when stopping (may be associated with wear of the pads on only one side).
5. The electronic brake is triggered by jerks - instead of a smooth slowdown, tremors are felt.

If you ignore these signs, the consequences can be serious, from premature wear of the pads to complete loss of brakes in an emergency. M365 with critical wear of the pad, the metal base begins to scratch the disk, which leads to its deformation and expensive repairs.

⚠️ Warning: If the brakes are still not working properly after adjustment, check the condition of the cable - it may have broken or rusted inside the shirt.

Tools for adjusting the brakes Xiaomi: what you need

To adjust the brakes yourself, prepare the following set of tools:

For models with electronic brakes, you will additionally need a smartphone with the Mi Home app installed (available for Android and iOS).If you have a Xiaomi 4 Pro or newer, check for the latest firmware version - older versions may not have brake settings.

We also recommend stocking up on spare pads (the item depends on the model of the scooter) and brake fluid (if you have a hydraulic system, which is rare). For most Xiaomi, Semi-Metallic or Organic pads are suitable.

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Before starting work, take a picture of the original position of the pads and cable – this will help to bring everything back if something goes wrong.

Step-by-step: how to adjust the disc brakes on Xiaomi

Disc brakes are the most common type on Xiaomi scooters, and their adjustment includes adjusting the position of the pads and the tension of the cable. Follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Preparation of the scooter

1. Turn off the scooter and put it on a flat surface (it is better to use a stand so that the wheel does not touch the floor).

2. Clean the brake disc and pads of dirt with a dry cloth. Never use oils or solvents - they will reduce the effectiveness of braking!

3. Check the wear of the pads: if their thickness is less than 1.5 mm, replacement is required.

Step 2: Adjustment of the position of the pads

1. Find two hexagonal screws on the brake caliper (they fix the pads).

2. Weaken the screws with a hexagon by 2-3 mm, but do not twist completely.

3. Press the brake lever so that the pads automatically stand in the correct position relative to the disc.

4. Holding the lever, tighten the screws back (effort is average, so as not to break the thread).

Step 3: Tightening the cable

1. Find the adjustment bolt on the cable (locate the brake handles or on the fork).

2. Turn the bolt clockwise to increase tension (brake works faster), or against - to loosen.

3. Check the lever's stroke: it should be pressed with force, but not blocked. Optimal free travel - 3-5 mm.

If the brake is still weak after adjustment, check:

• 🔍 Condition of the cable - it should not be rusty or twisted.
• 🛑 Calipor jamming – try to manually move the pads: they should easily return to their original position.
• 🔄 Disk centering – if it is bent, the pads will touch it unevenly.

Tie-tie test checked.|The pads do not rub against the disc in a neutral position.|The brake lever comes back without jamming|Brakeway reduced (safe speed test)-->

Electronic (regenerative) brake settings via Mi Home

Electronic brake on Xiaomi Pro 2, 4 Pro and other models with E-ABS It's customized through a proprietary app, and it allows you to change the braking force and the lever sensitivity.

Instructions:

1. Connect the scooter to the Mi Home app via Bluetooth.
2. Go to the Settings section → Brake system (name may vary depending on firmware version).
3. Find the Regenerative Braking Slider (or E-ABS Strength).
4. Adjust the value from 1 (low braking) to 3 (maximum). For the city, the optimal value is 2.
5. Save the settings and test the scooter at a safe speed.

If the application does not have brake settings, update the firmware of the scooter:

1. In Mi Home, go to Device Settings → Software Update.
2. If a new version is available, download and install it.
3. After the update, restart the scooter (turn off and turn on the power).

⚠️ Attention: Some Xiaomi 4 Pro firmwares may experience a “recoil” to the steering wheel when pressed sharply at maximum regenerative brake settings. If this interferes, reduce the force to 1-1.5.

The electronic brake doesn't replace the mechanical brake, it just complements it. If the mechanical part is faulty, recovery won't save you from the long braking distance!

Adjustment of drum brakes (for older Xiaomi models) M365)

Drum brakes are found on early versions of Xiaomi M365 (Their main advantage is the simplicity of construction, but they require more frequent adjustment due to the wear of the pads.

Procedure:

1. Remove the rear wheel by unscrewing 4 bolts on the axle (a 5 mm key will be required).
2. Remove the drum cover - it is attached to latches or small bolts.
3. Find the adjusting screw (usually located on the side of the drum).
4. Turn the screw clockwise to press the pads against the drum, do this gradually, checking the resistance of the wheel after each revolution.
5. Make sure the wheel rotates freely, but when pressing the brake lever, it is blocked without jamming.
6. Put everything back together.

If the pads are worn too much (less than 1mm thick), they need to be replaced. - Xiaomi M365 fitting M365-Brake-Shoe (You can find it on AliExpress or in specialty stores).

After replacing the pads, be sure to lace:

• 🚲 Drive 5-10 km at a low speed (10-15 km / h), periodically slowing down.
• 🔧 Check the adjustment again - the pads could "sit down».

Frequent mistakes in brake adjustment and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to poor braking or machine failure, and the most common of these are:

Another common problem is the squeaky brakes, which is caused by:

• 🧴 Getting dirt or oil on the pads / disc (need to clean with isopropyl alcohol).
• 🔩 Poor quality shoes (cheap analogues can creak due to hard inclusions).
• 🌡️ Overheating (if braked too sharply and often, the disc will deform).

If the creak does not disappear after cleaning, try to drill the disk (in the service) or replace the pads with the original ones.

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After any adjustment of the brakes, be sure to test the scooter at a safe speed (5-10 km / h) before leaving for the city!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Brakes