Why do the brakes on the Xiaomi scooter require adjustment?
Xiaomi's electric scooters are some of the most popular in the world because of their balance of price, quality and functionality. But even in reliable models like the M365, Pro 2 or Essential, they eventually have problems with the braking system. The main reason is the wear of the pads and the stretching of the cable, which leads to increased free-running and reduced braking efficiency. If you notice that you have to push the lever harder to stop or the scooter slows down with jerks, you should start adjusting.
In this article, we will discuss:
- 🔧 When exactly you need adjustment (symptoms and diagnosis)
- 🛠️ Step-by-step instructions for models with disk and drum systems
- ⚠️ Common mistakes that cause brakes to break
- 🔄 How to prolong the life of brake pads and avoid frequent adjustment
Important: if you have a warranty scooter, you should contact Xiaomi's service center. Self-intervention can cancel the warranty. For the rest, get to work!
Signs that the brakes need to be tightened
Not all brake problems are solved by adjustment, sometimes you need to change the pads or the cable, so you don't waste your time, you first need to figure out what's wrong.
- 🚲 Increased free stroke of the lever - if earlier the brake worked when pressing 1-2 cm, and now only 3-4 cm, the cable stretched.
- 🔊 Scream or screech during braking - a signal of wear of pads or getting dirt on the disc.
- ⚡ Ug or uneven braking – the pads do not fit properly to the disc or drum.
- 🛑 The scooter brakes spontaneously - the cable is jammed or the pads are pressed too tightly.
If any of these signs are present, you need to adjust, but before you start to use the tools, check:
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models M365 And after 2020, the Pro has different types of brakes, disc brakes (front) and drum brakes (back), and they are adjusted differently!
The tools you'll need
Xiaomi doesn't need professional tools to adjust the brakes on a scooter.
| Tool. | What do you need? | The alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Key-hexagon 5 mm | Adjustment of cable tension (drum brakes) | Flat-liped pliers |
| Screwdriver cross | Dismantling of brake cover | Coin (for some models) |
| WD-40 or similar lubrication | Cleaning of cable and rust mechanism | Kerosene or brake fluid |
| Sandpaper (120–200 Grit) | Cleaning the brake disc from the raid | metal sponge |
If you have a model with disc brakes (for example, Xiaomi Pro 2), you may additionally need an 8 mm end key to adjust the caliper. M365) usually has a hexagon.
⚠️ Warning: Never use oil or silicone lubricant for brake pads! this will lead to slippage and complete loss of braking ability.
Step-by-step: adjustment of drum brakes (Xiaomi M365, Essential)
The drum brakes are mounted on the rear wheel of most Xiaomi budget models, and they take no more than 15 minutes to adjust, if everything is done in order.
- Remove the back cover of the brake mechanism. It is attached to 2-3 screws (cross screwdriver). On some models, the lid is fixed with latches - carefully tuck it into a flat screwdriver.
- Evaluate the condition of the pads. If they are less than 1.5 mm thick, you need to replace them. Also check if there are oil stains on the pads, which is a sign of lubrication leaking from the bearings.
- Pull the cable. There's a hexagon screw on the mechanism, turn it clockwise until the lever's free travel is reduced to 1 to 1.5 cm.
- Check the brake. Scroll the wheel with your hand, and it should rotate freely, but stop abruptly when you press the lever.
Critical error: pull-up of the cable! If the wheel brakes on its own (without pressing the lever), relax the tension by half the rotation of the hexagon, which leads to overheating of the mechanism and accelerated wear of the pads.
Clean the mechanism of dirt and dust |
Check the integrity of the cable (whether there are any clogs)|
Make sure the wheel is spinning without backlash |
Prepare tools (hexagon, screwdriver)-->
Disc brake adjustment (Xiaomi Pro 2, 1S, 3)
Disc brakes are more reliable than drum brakes, but they are also more difficult to adjust, and it is important to correctly set the gap between the pads and the disc. If the scooter brakes weakly or the disc is "snatched" on one side, follow this instruction:
- To do this, unscrew two bolts with an 8 mm end key (don't twist them out completely!).
- Center the caliper. Hold the brake lever and hold it. The support must stand in the correct position on its own. Tighten the bolts back.
- Check the lever's stroke. If it's too soft, pull the cable with a control screw (similar to drum brakes).
- Clean the disc. If it has grooves or plaque on it, use sandpaper. You can also clean the pads slightly.
On Xiaomi Pro 2 and newer models, the caliper can have automatic centering, in which case it is enough to just pull the cable and check that the disc does not rub against the pads when the wheel turns.
What to do if the brakes creak after adjustment?
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced scooters sometimes make mistakes when adjusting the brakes, and here are the most common of them and ways to prevent them:
- 🔧 Ignoring the wear of the pads, adjusting the cable is not going to help if the pads are worn to metal. Check their thickness every 500 to 1,000 km.
- 🛢️ Lubrication of pads or discs, which results in a complete loss of braking power, and only the cable (thin layer) can be lubricated).
- ⚙️ Tug-and-tug cable. It creates excess friction, overheats the machinery, and reduces the life of the pads.
- 🔄 Failure to check the brake after adjustment. Always test the scooter at low speed before a full trip!
Another common problem is tether jamming, which is caused by rust or dirt inside your shirt, and to avoid that, drop a few drops of WD-40 into your cable shirt every 3 to 6 months and pump the brake lever.
💡
If you've got the brakes going bad after you've adjusted, check if the brake disc is bent, scroll the wheel and see if the disc is hitting the sides, and if so, you'll need to change or change.
How to prolong the life of brake pads?
Regularly adjusting your brakes is good, but it's even better if you do it less often, and here are some tips to help increase the life of your pads and cables:
- 🚗 Avoid braking too hard. Try to drop off the speed smoothly, especially on downhills.
- 🌧️ Don't drive in puddles. Water speeds up the corrosion of the cable and disc. After rain, dry the brakes by pressing the lever several times.
- 🧹 Clean the mechanism once a month. Remove dirt and dust from the pads and disk with a soft brush.
- 🔄 Alternate braking with the front and rear wheels, and this distributes the load evenly.
On regenerative braking models (such as the Xiaomi Pro 2), the pads wear out more slowly, as part of the braking effort is taken over by the electric motor, but this does not negate the need for regular checks of the mechanical part.
💡
The most common reason for rapid wear of pads is aggressive driving with constant sharp braking. Smooth driving style increases the life of the brakes by 2-3 times.