The Xiaomi M365 line of electric scooters have proven to be reliable vehicles, but their Achilles heel is often pneumatic wheels. Puncture or wear of rubber is a regular situation that every owner faces after an active season. Self-replacement of a wheel or camera saves a significant amount of money on the services of service centers, where such a procedure is often unreasonably high fees.
The replacement process requires precision, a basic set of tools, and an understanding of the powertrain design, and the challenge is to dismantle the motor wheel or the front assembly, and to fit a new tire tightly onto the rim, and if you're willing to spend about an hour and follow the instructions, you can get your iron horse back into service without any help.
In this guide, we will cover all the steps of work, from the preparation of the workplace to the final pressure check, and pay special attention to the nuances of working with the electric connections of the motor, as an error here can lead to a breakdown of the controller. Make sure that the battery is completely disconnected from the on-board network before starting any work with electrical components.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Before you start disassembling the Xiaomi M365, you need to organize a comfortable workspace. You will need a stable surface, good lighting and access to the outlet if you need to recharge the device during the testing process. Chaotic scattering of bolts and screws is a sure way to lose the fastener or assemble “extra” parts at the end.
To do this, you'll need a standard home craftsman kit. Most of the mounts in Xiaomi scooters are metric threaded, but there are also specific lock-coated screws. It's critical to have quality tools at hand to keep bolt caps that can be made of soft metal cheaply.
- 🔧 Set of hexagonal keys (mandatory size 5 mm and 3 mm).
- 🪛 Cross screwdriver (preferably with a magnetic tip for convenience).
- ✂️ Mounting knife or scalpel for accurate separation of rubber.
- 🔌 Plastic blades for opening the cases without scratches.
- 🧤 Gloves to protect hands from lubrication and sharp rim edges.
It is also recommended to prepare the screw folding tank in advance by signing the disassembly steps if you are doing it for the first time, which will help avoid confusion when building, when the same-looking bolts can have different thread lengths or diameters.
☑️ Preparation for repairs
Dismantling of the rear motor-wheel
Replacing the rear wheel with the Xiaomi M365 is a more time-consuming task than working with the front node, because it is the drive. The first step is to flip the scooter or install it on the stand, allowing free access to the wheel. Remove the protective reflector (cataphote) if it is installed by unscrewing two small screws.
Then you have to unplug the engine cover, and then you have to twist all the screws around the perimeter of the lid using a cross screwdriver, and be careful, inside the lid is a connector connecting the motor to the controller, and carefully bend the lid, find the connector chip, and unplug it without pulling the wires, and often the connector sits tight, and it needs to be wobbled slightly from side to side.
⚠️ Warning: Never pull the wires themselves when the motor connector is disconnected.This can cause the live-streamers to break inside the insulation, causing short circuits or loss of contact when vibrating.
After the electrics are turned off, we move to the mechanical part. Turn the wheel axis nut using the key to the 17 or a special remover if the nut is sour. Remove the locking washer and carefully pull the wheel off the frame. If the wheel is not removed, you may need to slightly tap on the axis with a rubber kiae or a wooden bar to move it from the seat.
Motor connection nuances
Replacement of the front wheel and removal of the fork
The front wheel of the Xiaomi M365 is structurally simpler as it contains no electrical components, but removing it requires dismantling the entire front assembly or working with the fork carefully. First, remove the front reflector and disconnect the front light cable from the main board if you plan to remove the fork completely.
Turn the shock absorber bolts back to the fork and remove the locking rings or splints that hold the wheel axle. In some versions, the axis is fixed by nuts on both sides. Once the axle is removed, the wheel will freely exit the fork. Check the condition of the bearings: they must rotate smoothly, without backlash or foreign noise.
If you change only the camera or the tire, then the next step is similar to working with the rear wheel, but without the risk of damaging the electronics, but if you want to replace the most hub assembly, you will have to completely dismantle the plug, which will require removal of the steering wheel and decorative linings.
- 🚲 Remove the locking rings of the front wheel axis.
- 🔩 Unscrew the shock absorber mount bolts.
- 🔌 Remove the headlights (when fully removed).
- 🛑 Remove the axle and remove the wheel.
When rear-assembling the front assembly, it is important to properly install the anthers and seals so that moisture and dirt do not get inside the fork, which will prolong the life of the bearings and prevent corrosion of metal parts.
Technology of camera and tire replacement
The most critical step is to work with rubber. The old tire is relatively easy to remove: flush the air completely, squeeze the camera nipple inside the rim, and, using mounting blades or screwdrivers (with caution), squeeze the side of the tire behind the rim. Move around until one side comes out completely. Then remove the camera.
Installing a new camera requires skill. First, slightly pump the camera so that it takes a round shape, but does not swell completely. Insert the nipple into the rim hole and lock it with a nut (without twisting it to the end). Then fill the camera inside the tire evenly throughout the diameter.
⚠️ Warning: Before you finally install the tire on the rim, make sure that the camera is not sandwiched anywhere between the rubber and the metal.
Filling the tire side into place is a physically challenging task. Start on the opposite side of the nipple. Use the body weight, resting the wheel on the floor, or special belts for the side of the tire that tighten the tire, making it easier to land. Safety is important here: tools can jump, so keep your hands safe.
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Lubricate the sides of the new tire with soapy solution or talc, which will greatly facilitate the installation process and reduce friction, preventing damage to the camera during installation.
Table of wheel and pressure parameters
It is important to follow the recommended parameters for the correct operation of the scooter. Using tires of the wrong size or incorrect pressure can lead to a decrease in mileage, overheating of the engine or even rupture of the camera on the go.
| Parameter | Value for M365/Pro | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter of the wheel | 8.5 inches | Standard for most models |
| Recommended pressure | 3.5 - 4.5 atm (Bar) | Depends on the weight of the rider. |
| Maximum loading | 100 kg | If the pressure is exceeded, the pressure should be higher. |
| Nipple type | AV (automobile) | Convenient for pumping with any pump |
| Camera material | Rubber/Thermoplastics | Thermoplastic is stronger but more expensive |
Tire pressure has a direct effect on damping and coasting, pumped wheels will make the ride stiff, and under-pumped wheels will increase rolling resistance and battery consumption, and check this regularly, especially when changing the air temperature.
Assembly and performance check
Once the new rubber is installed and the wheel is installed, carefully assemble it in reverse order, make sure that all screws are twisted with the proper effort, but without fanaticism, so as not to break the thread in the aluminum body. Pay special attention to the installation of the motor wires: they must lie in their grooves and not protrude outside the body.
When installing the engine cover, check the integrity of the sealing gum. If it is damaged or lost, the motor can quickly fail due to moisture. Grease the edges of the cover with a thin layer of sealant or Vaseline for better tightness if the standard gasket is in doubt.
The final step is testing. Turn on the scooter and check the engine idling. The wheel should rotate evenly, without jerking, beating or extraneous sounds. If the motor is humming or twitching, immediately turn off the device and check that the phase wires are properly connected.
⚠️ Warning: First start after the wheel change, hold the scooter in a safe place, holding it on weight or securely fixing it, which will allow you to instantly react in case of malfunctioning of the drive.
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Good electrical assembly and inspection is more important than speed, and a single poorly connected wire can cost you a replacement controller.