The Xiaomi M365 series of electric scooters and their modifications (Pro, Pro 2, Essential) have deservedly become the benchmark of urban mobility, but their design imposes certain obligations on the owner. The most vulnerable element of the chassis is the pneumatic tire, which is subject to punctures, cuts and natural wear. Sooner or later, every rider faces the question of replacing the camera or repairing tire damage, which requires dismantling the wheel and its subsequent disassembly.
The process of removing rubber from the rim on these devices often seems like an overwhelming task for beginners due to the tight fit of the sides and the lack of a special tool in the basic kit. Many service centers charge a significant amount for this procedure, although with the right knowledge and mounting blades, you can do the work yourself in garage conditions, the main thing is to understand the physical structure of the unit and not apply excessive force where accuracy of movements is important.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the steps from the workplace to the final installation of the wheel, learn what tools are really needed, how to avoid damage to the camera during installation, and why it is important to place the nipple correctly. Careful follow-up will help you save time and money by restoring your vehicle confidence on the road.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Before you start to act, you need to prepare the workspace, the ideal bench or sturdy table, covered with clean rags to avoid the loss of small parts and contamination of bearings, you need a set of specialized tools, without which high-quality disassembly is almost impossible or fraught with damage to the rim.
The main tool will be the mounting blades, the use of screwdrivers or knives is strongly discouraged, as they can damage the side of the tire or scratch the aluminum rim, which in the future will lead to injury to the camera, you will also need a pump with a pressure gauge to control the pressure and a soap solution that will greatly facilitate the slip of the rubber.
- 🛠️ A set of mounting blades (preferably made of durable plastic or tempered steel with a protective coating)
- 🔧 10 mm wrench or special key for the wheel axis
- 🧴 Soap solution or special lubricant for tyre installation
- 🔦 Lantern for inspection of the inner cavity of the tire for foreign objects
It's also important to have good lighting. Dim lights can cause you to miss a small piece of glass or metal sticking out of the tire, which will cause you to puncture again immediately after repair. If you work in a garage in winter, let the tools and the scooter warm up to room temperature, as the rubber becomes hard and brittle in the cold.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting work, be sure to completely flush the air out of the chamber. Attempting to remove the tire with residual pressure can lead to a sharp shot of the single tape or even a rupture of rubber, which is traumatic.
By preparing everything you need, you minimize the risks and make the process as efficient as possible. Don't ignore the need for a clean desk, because the sand that gets between the camera and the tire will act as an abrasive, gradually erasing the rubber from the inside.
Dismantling the wheel and removing the tire from the rim
The process begins with the removal of the wheel from the frame of the electric scooter. Depending on the model (M365, Pro or 1S, 3), the procedure may differ slightly from the location of the engine mounting bolts and the brake disc. Usually you need to unscrew several bolts on the axle and disconnect the motor-wheel contact if you are working with a front wheel with a drive.
Once you have the wheel in your hands, you have to remove the air, and even if the camera seems empty, press the nipple to make sure there is no pressure, and then you have to knock the tyre side off the rim on both sides, either by tightly compressing the tire with your hands or by gently pressing the knee to try to move the rubber deep into the rim.
☑️ Checklist for preparation for the removal of the tire
Then you use the mounting blades, you put the first blade between the side of the tire and the rim, bend the rubber outwards, lock it or ask the assistant to hold it. 5-10 Insert the second blade and repeat the process, gradually moving the side of the tire outside the rim. Once one side is completely free, you can easily remove the camera.
Removing the second side is often the most difficult thing. It's important to place the wheel correctly and use the lever. Don't try to pull the camera by force if it's stuck, first release it from the pressure of the side. Carefully pull the nipple out of the hole in the rim, making sure it doesn't come off the base of the camera.
| Work segment | Tool. | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Removal of the wheel | Key to 10mm | Don't forget to turn off the engine plume |
| Bow chop | Hands/knee | We need to push the side to the center of the rim. |
| Decommissioning of first board | Installation blade | Act carefully so as not to pinch the camera |
| Camera extraction | Hands. | First, pull the nipple out of the hole. |
| Withdrawal of the second side | Two shoulder blades. | It requires maximum effort and leverage. |
After successful removal of the tire, carefully examine the inside of the rim, there should be no sharp edges, burrs or corrosion marks that could damage the new chamber, if necessary, clean the surface with fine sandpaper.
Features of working with the camera and nipple
The Xiaomi scooter camera has a specific nipple design that is often glued or tightly pressed against the inner wall of the tire. When removing the camera, it is important not to tear the nipple at an angle, as this can damage its base or tightness of the connection with the rubber.
If you plan to use an old chamber (for example, when installing a lap-tray), be sure to find a puncture site, pump it and immerse it in water or bring it to your ear, listening to the hissing, the damage should be cleaned with a roughing from the remix, degrease and seal, allowing the glue to dry completely.
How to check the sealing tightness of the sticker?
When installing a new camera, it is recommended to slightly pump air so that it takes the shape of a circle, but does not swell completely, and this will prevent the formation of wrinkles and pinches of rubber between the side of the tire and the rim, which is a common cause of "hernias" and sudden punctures.
⚠️ Warning: Never use conventional bicycle cameras for scooter cameras without sizing checks. The camera must match the diameter and width of the profile exactly, otherwise it will stretch or, conversely, will experience excessive stress.
Pay special attention to the condition of the single tape, which is a thin strip of material that protects the camera from spokes and holes in the rim, and if the tape is torn or moved, it must be replaced or corrected before installing a new camera, otherwise a puncture in the spokes area is inevitable.
Technology of reverse assembly and installation of the tire
The assembly starts with one of the tire sides being placed on the rim, usually with your hands without tools, starting from the section opposite the nipple, and once you make sure that the side sits evenly across the diameter, you can start refueling the chamber.
Carefully place a slightly pumped camera inside the tire, inserting a nipsel into the rim hole. It is important that the camera lies loose, without twisting. Then the most important step is to refuel the second side. Using mounting blades, gradually push the rubber over the edge of the rim, moving from the nipple in both directions.
As you move around, make sure that the camera doesn't get under the tyre. If you feel resistance, don't push it, you better take the tyre back, straighten the camera and try again. Using soap on the tyre will make this process much easier, allowing the rubber to slide across the metal.
- 🔄 Start the installation of the side on the opposite side of the nipple
- 💧 Lubricate the board with soapy water for better slip
- 👀 Visually control that the camera is not clamped with rubber
- 🎈 After assembly, evenly distribute the camera inside, shaking the wheel.
When the second side is fully refueled, check the uniformity of the tire landing. Around the perimeter of the wheel, just above the rim, you should see a thin marking line. If it goes under the rim or, conversely, it swells, then the camera inside is twisted or twisted.
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For the final landing of a tubeless or tight tire, you can use the rapid pumping method. Remove the spool from the nipple, dramatically pump a large amount of air with a compressor to the sides to spread out and fall into place, then quickly return the spool and bring the pressure to normal.
Pressure control and final installation
After successful assembly, the wheel must be pumped to working pressure. For the Xiaomi M365 and Pro models, the optimal range is from 3.5 to 4.5 atmospheres (bar), depending on the weight of the rider. A pumped wheel will make the ride stiff and increase the risk of puncture, and a defective one will lead to rapid wear and risk of “snake bite” (camera breakdown on the rim).
Before installing the wheel on the scooter, make sure that the axle and fasteners are clean. When installing the motor-wheel, pay special attention to connecting the contact group. The connector should be dry, clean and snapped to the characteristic click. Often, oxidation of the contacts is the cause of engine errors after maintenance.
Wrap the cross-axle bolts to ensure a uniform fit. After installation, be sure to check the brakes and the wheel is not beating when rotating. If the wheel is rubbing against a brake caliper or frame, it may have stood out of center or skewed the axle.
The final touch will be a test ride: take short distances to listen to the sounds of the rolling, the absence of extraneous noises and vibrations indicates the work done correctly, regularly check the tire pressure, as this will prolong the life of the camera and tires.
Typical mistakes and expert advice
One of the most common mistakes is to use car sealants to fill the chamber of an electric scooter. Unlike tubeless tires, in a Xiaomi camera, such compounds often cause corrosion of the nipple from the inside or create a wheel imbalance that is felt at high speeds.
Also, beginners often forget to check the inside of an old tire before installing a new camera. If there is a nail or a sharp pebble in the rubber, the new camera will be pierced after a few meters of run.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use solidol, litol or other thick oil-based lubricants for lubrication when installing. They destroy the structure of the rubber chamber, causing it to swell and rupture. Use only soap solution or special water-based mounting pastes.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the band, and even a microscopic barb on the end of the spoke can wipe the camera over time, and if the tape is damaged, it costs a penny to replace it, but it saves you from constant repairs.
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High-quality disassembly and assembly of the wheel take no more than 20-30 minutes with the experience and the right tools, which makes this skill a must for every scooter owner.
Technology and accuracy will allow you to forget about the problems with the wheels for a long time. Remember that the correct maintenance of the chassis is the key to your safety on the road.