Replacement of tires on the electric scooter Xiaomi M365

Xiaomi M365 electric scooters and their modifications, such as the Pro or Pro 2, have proven to be reliable and popular transport for the urban environment. However, any owner sooner or later faces an unpleasant situation when the camera is broken and the rubber is worn out or cracked with time. Replacing the tire with the Xiaomi M365 is the most frequent maintenance procedure that the user has to face on his own, since service centers often charge a significant amount for this, and the wait for recording can be delayed.

The process of replacing rubber does not require a deep engineering knowledge, but definitely requires a basic set of tools and, most importantly, physical strength. The main difficulty is the rigidity of the factory tires, which sit very tightly on the disk, and the need to completely disassemble the wheel assembly. In this article, we will discuss in detail every step of the work, from the dismantling of the wheel to the final pumping, so that you can perform the replacement efficiently and safely.

It is worth noting that regular pressure checks and visual tread inspections help to prolong the life of the wheel. However, if you already feel constant air loss or see damage, you can not delay repairs. Operating a scooter with a damaged camera can lead to more serious problems, including failure of the controller or motor wheel due to overheating or short circuit when in contact with moisture.

Tools required and selection of new rubber

Before you start dismantling, you need to prepare the workplace and assemble all the necessary tools. Lack of the right equipment can turn a simple process into a multi-hour struggle with metal and rubber. To work, you need a set of hexagonal keys, including a key for 8 mm to remove the axle, and a set of screwdrivers, among which should be a flat and cross for working with the insides of the wheel.

Special attention should be paid to the choice of a new tire. The market offers many options, and the right choice affects the comfort and patency of the scooter. The original Xiaomi rubber is tough enough to provide good rolling, but it aches comfort on bumps. There are softer counterparts that are better cushioning, but wear out faster.

• 🛠️ Set of hexagons (Allen keys) - required key 8 mm.
• 🔧 Tilts for wheel mounting (preferably plastic, so as not to scratch the disc).
• 🔋 Powerful pump or compressor (manual pump to pump tight tire is extremely difficult).
• 🧴 Talc or soap solution - to facilitate the landing of the camera inside the tire.

It is also important to prepare the camera. It is recommended to buy cameras labeled "thickened" (thickened), as they are more resistant to puncture. Standard thin cameras often burst in the area of the nipple or wipe against the inner surface of the tire when driving actively. When buying, make sure that the camera size corresponds to the diameter of the wheel of your scooter, usually 8.5 inches.

Dismantling the wheel from the frame of the electric scooter

The first step is to remove the wheel from the frame, and to do this, you have to flip the scooter upside down, put it on a soft surface so that you don't scratch the steering wheel or the display. Start by turning off the power. Find the motor-wheel connector, which is usually covered with a rubber plug on the inside of the rim, and gently disconnect the chip.

Attention: Before pulling the wires, carefully inspect the connection. The chip has a lock that must be bent or pressed before extraction. Sharp jiggles can break thin contacts, and then electronics repair will cost more than replacing rubber.

Then move on to the mechanical part. With an 8mm key (or a different size depending on the modification and year of release), unscrew the wheel axis nut. On some Xiaomi M365 models, the nut can be hidden under a plastic cap. Once the nut and washer are removed, the wheel should easily exit the fork. If it is stuck, gently tap on the axis, but avoid hitting the rim or spokes.

⚠️ Warning: When removing the wheel, make sure that the motor wire does not become entangled in the spokes or brake disc. Damage to the insulation of the wire can lead to a short circuit when you turn on.

After successfully dismantling the wheel, put it on a flat surface, and now you have to remove the tire from the disc, which is the most time-consuming, physical, and the rubber in the factory is very tight, and it's almost impossible to remove it with your bare hands.

Removal of old tire and camera

To remove the tire, you must first completely flush the air out of the chamber. Unscrew the spool from the nipple and make sure the camera deflates completely. Then, using the mounts, start pulling the tyre side over the edge of the disk. Act carefully so as not to damage the metal rim and tear the camera if you plan to use it again (although this rarely makes sense).

One common mistake is to try to remove the tire without disassembling the disc. On Xiaomi scooters, the disc consists of two halves held together by bolts. To facilitate the process and install the new camera, it is recommended to spin the bolts around the perimeter of the disk and divide it into two halves, which will open full access to the inner cavity.

• 🔩 Unscrew. 6-8 bolts connecting the halves of the disk using a hexagonal key.
• 🚫 Remove the brake disc (if it interferes) or carefully take it aside, remembering the position.
• 🛑 Completely remove the old camera and tire from the rim.
• 🧹 Clean the inner surface of the disc and the tire itself of dirt, dust and talc residues.

If you decide not to take the disc apart completely, the process of removing the tire becomes a struggle, so you have to turn one side of the tire out, then push the camera in and pull it out through the hole in the disk, and then you have to turn the tire and remove the second side, which is a more risky method for the integrity of the new camera.

Look inside an old tire. Often the cause of a puncture is a metal cord sticking out from inside or a glass/nail stuck outside. If you find damage to the inside of the rubber, it's best not to be reused, as it will constantly pierce new cameras.

Installation of a new camera and installation of the tire

Before installing a new camera, it is recommended to slightly pump it so that it takes a round shape and there are no folds on it. The folds can cause the rubber to pinch between the disc and the tire, which will cause instant puncture, and it is also useful to treat the camera with talc or soap solution, this will improve the slip inside the tire.

Put the camera in the tyre, make sure the nipple is in the right position, then start putting the assembled structure on the disc. First, fill one side of the tyre around the diameter. The second side may be difficult to handle due to a tight landing. Here again you will need mounts.

It's important to make sure that the camera doesn't get under the tyre when you're pulling. If you feel a lot of resistance, check if the tyre has been pinched. Spread the tyre evenly across the disc, moving from center to edge. Once the second side is inserted, visually check in a circle so that the rubber line is flat and doesn't bulge anywhere.

If you've been halving the disc, you've got to put it together. Put the two parts together, make sure the motor wire is properly placed in the channel for it and not pressed against the sharp edges. Twirl the bolts cross-cross for even fit. Don't tighten the bolts to the full stop at once; make all the money first, and then tighten evenly.

Pumping and final assembly of the node

The most critical aspect is pumping the wheel. As mentioned earlier, the Xiaomi M365 tires are very tight. Pumping them to the working pressure (usually 3.5-4.5 bar or 50-65 psi) is extremely difficult, and sometimes impossible without special effort.

When you pump, listen carefully and watch the tire. When the pressure starts to rise, the sides of the tire can suddenly fall into place with the characteristic cotton. If the tire sits unevenly, blow it off, correct it and try again. After pumping, check again if the rubber sits evenly throughout the diameter.

After a successful pump, put the wheel back on the scooter. Put the axle into the fork, remember the brake disc (if it was removed). Tighten the axle nut. Connect the motor-wheel connector, making sure the characteristic snap of the lock. Put the wire in the groove and close with a protective cap.

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Use a thread lock (blue Loctite) on the wheel bolts and axle nut. Vibration when driving around the city can gradually weaken the connections, leading to backlashes or wheel disassembly on the go.

Turn on the scooter and check the engine's weight. The wheel should rotate smoothly, without any extraneous sounds or beats. If you hear friction or see the wheel spinning jerks, maybe the motor wire will be squeezed or the disc is assembled incorrectly, in which case the assembly will have to be repeated.

Typical errors and security measures

When replacing tires on their own, beginners often make mistakes that can cost the health or integrity of the device, one of the most common is the use of open fire sources to heat the tire to soften it, which is strictly forbidden, since it can melt the chamber or damage the structure of the rubber, not to mention the risk of fire.

Another mistake is to ignore the condition of the bearings. While the wheel is disassembled, it makes sense to check the bearings. If they are noisy or have a backlash, they should be replaced immediately. This will require knocking out the old ones and pressing the new ones, choosing the size (usually these are 6001 or 6002 series bearings, but it is better to specify for a particular model).

⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp metal objects (knives, screwdrivers) to tweak the camera when editing. You are likely to puncture a new camera in the first seconds of its life.

Also worth mentioning is the safety of the lithium-ion battery of the scooter. Although we don't touch the battery directly when replacing the wheel, the inverted scooter may be unstable, and make sure that the device is securely fixed and doesn't fall on your foot or head while you're working.

Alternative solutions and modernization

Owners of the Xiaomi M365, tired of constant punctures, often look for alternatives to pneumatic cameras, there are so-called "cellular" or whole tires made of polyurethane, which completely eliminate the possibility of puncture, since they have no air.

But these tires have some major drawbacks: they're much stiffer, which transfers all the vibrations from the road to the steering wheel and frame, increasing the risk of cracks in the scooter structure, and they're harder to mount, and they can have worse traction in wet weather, and the choice is left to the user: pneumatic comfort or solid tire reliability.

If you often drive on bad roads, consider installing better-quality shock absorbers in addition to replacing rubber.The comprehensive approach to modernizing the suspension and wheelbase will make trips on the Xiaomi M365 truly enjoyable and safe.

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Replacing a tire with a Xiaomi M365 requires not only tools, but also accuracy. Properly installed and pumped rubber is the key to your safety and long-term service of the electric scooter.