Replacement of the rear tire on the Xiaomi scooter: a full guide with photos and life hacks

Replacing the rear tire on a Xiaomi electric scooter is a challenge that every owner faces sooner or later. Wearing rubber, punctures, or the desire to install a stronger tire makes you take tools. But if the front wheel is relatively simple (it often attaches to quick lift), the rear requires care: there are brakes, engine and wires, and dismantling errors can lead to a break in the contacts, rim damage, or even a failure of the controller.

In this article, we will analyze the process of replacing tires on popular models – Xiaomi M365, Pro 2, Essential and 1S. You'll learn what tools you'll need, how to remove the wheel properly without damaging the wiring, and how to install a new tire without skewing, and we'll also reveal the secrets of choosing rubber: Is it worth taking tubeless tires, what is the difference between slicks and half-slicks, and why cheap Chinese tires can turn into additional costs.

If you've never done a scooter repair, don't worry. We're designed for beginners, but we also have some useful nuances for experienced users, like how to turn a wheel 180 degrees to wear it evenly, or how to lubricate the bearings to last longer. Here we go!

What tools are needed to replace the tire

Before you start, prepare everything you need, and not even one tool can delay the process by hours.

• 🔧 Set of hexagons (mandatory with a size of 5 mm - it is needed to fasten the axis of the wheel).
• 🔨 Installation blades (2-3 Things, better plastic, so as not to damage the rim).
• 🔩 End key 14 or 15 mm (for unscrewing the axis nut, depends on the model).
• 🔧 They will help you to keep the snails open).
• 🧴 Lubrication for bearings (e.g. Liqui Moly or WD-40 Specialist).
• 🛠️ Pump with pressure gauge (to properly pump a new tire).
• 🧤 Gloves (rubber and metal can be sharp).

If you have a Xiaomi Pro 2 scooter or 1S, You may need an asterisk key. T20 For models with disc brakes (e.g. Xiaomi) M365 Pro) will be useful hexagonal 3 mm - they adjust the brake pads.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use screwdrivers instead of mounting blades! Metal will easily pierce the camera or scratch the rim, which will lead to rapid wear of the new tire.

Also, prepare your workspace in advance. It's best to work on a flat surface, like a table covered with cardboard or cloth, and if the scooter is dirty, clean the wheel and axle of sand and dust, and prevent debris from getting into the bearings.

How to remove the rear wheel from the scooter Xiaomi

This is the most important step, and it's important not to damage the wiring or break the thread on the axle.

1. Turn off the power. Pull out the battery or disconnect the connector on the board (if you're not sure, just turn off the scooter with a button).
2. Take off the plastic covers. M365 And Essential, they're mounted on the latches, and Pro 2 on the screws under the star. T20.
3. Unscrew the brake cable. On disc brake models, loosen the hexagon pad attachment by 3 mm.
4. Disconnect the wires from the engine. Gently remove the connector (usually fixed by a plastic latch).
5. Unscrew the axis nut. Hold it with pliers on one side and the end key on the other. 14/15 Turn counterclockwise.
6. Take the wheel off. Pull it on yourself, holding the scooter behind the frame. If the wheel doesn't come off, tap the axis lightly with a rubber hammer.

At this point, many people are faced with a problem: the axis scrolls along with the nut. To avoid this, insert a hexagon 5 mm into the hole on the axis (on the side opposite to the nut) and hold it while you unscrew it with the key.

After removing the wheel, check the axle and bearings. If they show rust or backlash, it's better to replace them right away. 6004-2RS (diameter 20 mm).

How to remove an old tire and camera

Now you have to separate the tire from the rim, and that's the most time-consuming part of the process, especially if the rubber is boiling.

1. Press the nipple (it can be hidden under the cap).
2. Insert the mounting blade. Start on the side opposite the nipple. Tuck the edge of the tire and put the blade under the side.
3. Lock the first blade. Put it between the rim and the tire so it doesn't pop out.
4. Put the second shoulder blade in. 10-15 You can take the tire back in, you can turn it out.
5. Remove the tire from the rim. Swipe the blade around, freeing the edge. Then repeat the same thing from the other side.
6. Get the camera out. Take it out of the tire carefully, starting with the nipple.

If the tire sits too tight, you can use a third blade or a special mounting lever. But don't put too much effort - the rim on Xiaomi scooters is made of soft aluminum and easily bends.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use a screwdriver or knife to remove the tire! Risk of puncturing a new camera or scratching the rim is extremely high. Plastic blades are inexpensive (from 200 rubles), but will save you nerves and money.

After removal, inspect the rim for burrs or dents. If any, gently clean them with sandpaper (grain). 400-600). Also check the hole for the nipple - it should be clean, without bulldozers.

How to Choose a New Tire for Xiaomi

Not all tires are equally good, and the choice of rubber is the key to traction, comfort and durability.

If you are driving mostly on asphalt, the best choice is a slick with a minimal tread, for example, Kenda. K526. It provides low rolling resistance and high speed. + Soil is a half-slime sort of thing. CST C1428 — It has small ground hooks on the edges, but a smooth central part.

Pay attention to the load and speed index. For Xiaomi scooters (maximum load) 100-120 kg) rubber indexed 65T (load 290 Kg, speed to 190 Do not take tires with an index below 50 — They can burst when they hit a curb.

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Before buying, check the reviews for a specific tire model. 8.5×2 Often praised for wear resistance, but scolded for weak grip on wet asphalt.

How to install a new camera and tire

Now, to build, the key is to keep the new camera intact and to spread the tire evenly around the rim.

1. Check the camera. Pump it to 0.5 bar and leave it for 10 minutes to make sure there are no punctures.
2. Put the camera in the tyre. Start with the nipple, put it in the rim hole, then carefully place the camera inside the tyre, avoiding torsion.
3. Put the tire on the rim. Start with the side opposite the nipple. Use the mounting blades, but don't put too much effort into it.
4. Fill the second edge. It's harder -- the tire will resist. Grease the edges with soap solution or special tyre lubricant (don't use oil!).
5. Check the position of the camera. It should not be twisted or sandwiched between the tire and the rim.
6. Pump the wheel. First, to 1 bar, then check if the tire is evenly flat. If there are skews, lower and repeat the installation.

If the tire doesn't fit on the rim, try the following life hack: put the wheel on the floor, stand on it and evenly press the weight. Then try again to fill the edge with a spatula. The main thing is not to rush and not to pull sharply.

⚠️ Warning: Don't pump the wheel to maximum pressure right away! 1.5 bar, check the tightness, and after an hour bring to the recommended 2.5-3 bar (depending on the model of the scooter).

Once installed, scroll the wheel with your hand, it should rotate smoothly, without beating. If you feel an imbalance, lower the tire and reinstall it, evenly spread out over the rim.

Installation of the wheel back on the scooter

Now we have to put it back together, but there's some nuances.

1. Put the wheel on the axle. Make sure the bearings sit flat. If the wheel is skewed, gently tap it with a rubber hammer.
2. Twisting the nut. First by hand, then tightening it with the end key. Don't pull it over, you've got enough effort. 20-25 N.
3. Connect the engine wires. The connector should click with the characteristic sound. Check that there are no bare wires.
4. Adjust the brakes. On disc brake models, the pads should be at a distance. 0.3-0.5 If the brake is cable, make sure it doesn't rub against the wheel.
5. Install plastic covers. On the Pro 2, don't forget to fasten them with screws.
6. Turn on the scooter and check. Raise the rear wheel and give the gas - it should rotate without jerking.

If the scooter does not travel after assembly or makes strange sounds, check:

• 🔌 Connecting the engine connector (frequent error - not fully inserted connector).
• 🔄 Polarity of the wires (if confused "+" and the "-", the controller may fail).
• 🛑 Brake pads (they should not rub against the disc or rim).

If the wheel is struggling to spin, you may have pulled the axle nut or damaged the bearings, in which case you'll have to take the wheel off again and diagnose the problem.

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After replacing the tire, be sure to check the wheel balance. The imbalance leads to vibrations at high speed and accelerated wear of the bearings.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced tyre makers sometimes make mistakes when replacing tires, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔧 Axis nut pulled over, which causes bearing wear and difficulty rotating, use a dynamometer key or tighten it out of hand with moderate effort.
• 🔌 Damaged engine connector. Never pull the wires! Only take the plastic connector case.
• 💨 The wrong pressure in the tire. Too low pressure increases rolling resistance and the risk of puncture, too high pressure makes the ride stiff. Optimal: 2.5-3 bar.
• 🔄 Twisted camera. Before you install the tire, slightly inflate the camera so that it takes the correct shape.
• 🛑 Unregulated brakes. After installing the wheel, be sure to check the gap between the pads and the disc (rim).

Another common problem is the uneven wear of the new tire, and to avoid that, every time you wear it, you have to wear it. 500-1000 Change the wheel in places (set the front back and vice versa) and watch the pressure: at low pressure, the rubber wears out at the edges, at high pressure, in the middle.

If the tire is replaced and the scooter is waving at speed, the wheel is probably curved.

• Are the bearings sitting exactly?
• Is there any dirt or sand on the axis?
• Is the nut evenly tightened?

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions