Disassembling the wheel of a Xiaomi electric scooter is a task that every owner sooner or later faces. Whether you plan to replace the camera, fix a puncture, install tubeless rubber or simply service the bearings, the ability to properly remove the tire from the rim will save time and nerves. Unlike bicycle wheels, the design of scooters has its own characteristics: stiffer sides, compact diameter and often rim rubber stuck to the rim after long use.
In this article, we will analyze the process of disassembly by steps, taking into account the nuances for popular Xiaomi models. M365, Pro 2, 1S You will learn what tools are really needed (and what can be used to replace professional devices), how to avoid damage to the camera and rim, and what to do if the tire is stuck to the disc. Separately, we will dwell on a common mistake using a screwdriver instead of mounting - this is fraught with a puncture of a new camera already at the assembly stage.
If you've never done this kind of work, don't worry: With the right approach, it takes no more than 20 to 30 minutes to disassemble the wheel of a Xiaomi scooter, patience and accuracy are the main thing, and for those who prefer visual guidance, at the end of this article we added a selection of verified video instructions with the wizard's comments.
What tools will be needed for the disassembly
Before you start, prepare the right set of tools, without which the process can turn into anguish, and the risk of damage to the wheel or camera increases significantly.
- π§ Installation blades (2-3 pieces) - plastic or metal with rounded edges are better, and bicycles will do, but their width should be at least 15 mm.
- π¨ Nipple key (if the camera with a car nipple Schrader) or cap with slots (for a bicycle Presta).
- π οΈ Set of hexagons (to remove the wheel from the scooter, if required) usually need a size of 5 mm or 6 mm.
- π§΄ Lubricant or soap solution (make it easier to put the tire back in), even a dishwasher diluted with water will do.
- π§° A rag or towel - so as not to scratch the rim and not to get your hands dirty.
If you do not have professional fittings at hand, you can replace them with flat screwdrivers (but only in extreme cases!). The main rule is that the edges of the screwdriver should be perfectly smooth, without barbs, and the diameter of the sting is at least 5 mm. Otherwise, you risk piercing the camera or scratching the rim.
For models Xiaomi Pro 2 and 1S with a tyreless tyre may be required:
- π₯ Hair dryer or construction thermoair - for softening the sealant (if the wheel is sealed).
- π§² Magnet β to hold metal sides of the tire during assembly.
β οΈ Warning: Do not use knives, scissors or other sharp objects to jack the tire! This is almost guaranteed to cause a puncture of the chamber or damage to the rim. Even a small scratch on an aluminum disc can cause a tubeless tire to depressurize.
Preparation of the wheel for disassembly: removal and inspection
Before you disassemble the wheel, it must be properly removed from the scooter.
- Turn off the scooter from power (take out the battery or press the power button for 5 seconds).
- Turn the scooter upside down, put a soft cloth under the steering wheel so you don't scratch the plastic.
- For Xiaomi. M365 and Essential: Unscrew 4 bolts on the brake drum (hexagon 5 mm). Remove the brake disc and put it aside. Untwist the wheel axis nut (size 15 mm or 17 mm, depending on the modification).
For Xiaomi Pro 2 and 1S:
- Remove the plastic axis cover (plug a screwdriver with a flat sting).
- Unscrew the axle nut by 14 mm.
- Remove the axle by holding the wheel on the other side.
After removing the wheel, carefully examine it for:
- π Punctures or cuts on the tire (especially from the inside).
- π Rim deformities - if the disc is bent, the tire will not fit tightly.
- π Bearing states (if the wheel is lufting or rotating with difficulty).
If the wheel is tubeless, press the pressure before disassembling by pressing the nipple, otherwise the tire may "shot" when trying to remove it.
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Before disassembling, take a picture of the location of all the parts (brake disc, axle, bearings) and this will help to avoid errors when reassembling, especially if you are doing it for the first time.
Step-by-step instructions: how to remove the tire from the rim
Now, to the most important stage, disassembly, follow the instructions carefully, take your time.
- Pull the air out of the chamber (if the wheel is chambered) to unscrew the nipple cap and press the spool. If the nipple is Presta, pre-unscrew the top nut counterclockwise.
- Insert the mount under the tyre: Start on the side opposite the nipple. Put the edge of the tyre with a mount and wind it under the rim. Secure the mount with a spoke (but don't push too hard to avoid bend the rim!).
Insert the second mount at a distance of 10-15 cm from the first. Carefully tuck the side of the tire and take it out over the rim edge.
Go around the mounting wheel, gradually pulling the side of the tire from the rim, move from the nipple in the opposite direction.
Take the camera off (if you have one), carefully pull it out from under the tire, starting with the nipple. Be careful not to pull sharply so as not to tear off the nipple!
Remove the other side of the tire in the same way. Now the rim is completely free.
If the tire is βstickβ to the rim (a common problem after long use), use one of the ways:
- πͺ Physical strength: put your feet in the rim and pull the tire on yourself (putting a cloth in order not to slip).
- π₯ Heating: warm up the dryer place "fill" for 1-2 minutes - this will soften the rubber.
- π§΄ Lubricant: drip WD-40 or soap solution between the tire and the rim, wait 5 minutes.
β οΈ Note: When disassembling the cameraless wheel Xiaomi Pro 2 or 1S Don't use metal mounts, they can damage the sealed layer on the rim, you'd better take plastic blades or wrap metal insulation.
Get the air out of the camera.|Put the cloth under the rim (so as not to scratch)|Wear gloves (rubber can be sticky)|Prepare a soap solution to facilitate the process-->
Features of the disassembly for different models Xiaomi
While the principle of disassembly is the same for all Xiaomi scooters, there are nuances that depend on the model and type of tire.
| Model scooter | Type of tire | Features of the disassembly | Frequent problems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi M365 | Chamber, 8.5β | The tire is softer than the new models, the rim is thinner, the risk of bending if you do not cleanly dismantle. | The rubber is attached to the rim after 1-2 years of operation. |
| Xiaomi Pro 2 | Integrated/chambered, 8.5β | The tubeless tires require a sealant when they are reassembled, the rim is wider, the tire is stiffer. | It's hard to remove without a hair dryer heating, and it's a risk of damaging the sealed layer. |
| Xiaomi 1S | Chamber/seatless, 8.5β | Similar to the Pro 2, but the rim is slightly lighter.Nippel is often Presta. | Access to the nipple is difficult due to a narrow hole in the rim. |
| Xiaomi Essential | Chamber, 8.5β | The easiest to disassemble, the tire is soft, the rim is standard. | Low quality cameras are often found (breaking when dismantled). |
For Xiaomi Pro 2 and 1S And with tubeless tires, after disassembly, make sure you check the condition of the sealed layer on the rim, and if it's damaged, the wheel will poison the air:
- Clear the rim of the old sealant.
- Apply a new sealant (e.g., Slime or Effetto Mariposa).
- When assembly, use a compressor for a uniform fit of the tire.
If you replace the chamber tire with a tubeless one, consider what you will need:
- π§ Special one-sided scotch (to protect against punctures with spokes).
- π¨ Compressor or powerful pump (hand-held pump tubeless tire pump pump almost impossible to pump).
What to do if the tire breaks when you remove it?
How to avoid mistakes: Top-5 squashing
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that damage the camera, rim, or tires, and here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Sharp objects (knives, scissors, screwdrivers with burrs) consequences: puncture of the camera, cuts on the hands, scratches on the rim. Solution: use only rounded-edge mounts or plastic shoulder blades.
- There's too much pressure on the rim when you're putting the tire under the garment, and the consequences are: a bent rim that will go eight times as you rotate, so you can put the mount on the spokes, not on the disc itself.
- Incomplete air descent before disassembly, consequences: the tire can "shot" and damage the camera or rim. Solution: always blow the air to the end by pressing the spool.
- Ignoring the direction of rotation of the tire when it is reassembled, consequences: deterioration of the grip, rapid tread wear. Solution: there is a needle on the tire. β Rotation β it must coincide with the direction of movement of the scooter.
- They forget to check the bearings when the wheel is removed, the consequences: backlash, noise when driving, rapid axle wear. Solution: spin the bearings with your hand, they should rotate smoothly, without jamming.
Another common mistake is to try to unwrap the wheel without taking it off the scooter, and that's only possible if you have a special stand that holds the axle, otherwise you run the risk of:
- π§ Damage to the brake disc (if installed).
- π Scratching a fork or scooter frame.
- π₯ Drop the scooter (if the wheel jams).
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If the tire doesn't respond, don't use brute force -- you better warm it up with a hair dryer or use lubricant. Force often causes the rubber to rupture or rim deformation.
Reverse assembly: how to properly board the wheel
Building a wheel after repairing or replacing a camera is as important as disassembling. Here's a step-by-step algorithm:
- Check the camera for punctures (you can pump it and lower it into water - the bubbles will indicate the place of leakage).
- Place the camera in the tyre: Pump the camera slightly (to the extent that it holds its shape), insert the nipple into the rim hole, and carefully straighten the camera inside the tyre so that there is no torsion.
- Put the tire on the rim: Start on the side opposite the nipple. Use the mounts to fill the side of the tyre under the rim. Fill the last section (near the nipple) by hand, without tools.
Make sure the camera is not sandwiched between the tire and the rim. To do this, pump the wheel to half the pressure and inspect in a circle - there should be no bumps.
Inflate the wheel to the recommended pressure:
- For Xiaomi. M365 and Essential: 35-40 PSI.
- For Xiaomi Pro 2 and 1S: 40β50 PSI (Lackless tires require more pressure).
To make it easier to build, you can use a soap solution, soak the edges of the tire and the rim with it, which will help the rubber to sit down more easily.
β οΈ Note: Do not use oils or technical lubricants (for example, WD-40) They can damage the rubber of the chamber or the sealant of a tubeless tire, only soap solution or special tyre lubricant.
Video instructions and useful resources
If you find it easier to perceive information visually, we recommend you to read the verified video instructions:
- π₯ Disassembly by Xiaomi M365 (camera bus: YouTube link (step-by-step process with wizard comments).
Also useful materials:
- π Compatibility table for Xiaomi scooters: Reference to the table (sizes, tread types, recommended brands).
If you are looking for alternative tires with better grip or increased resource, look for brands:
- π Kenda β reliable and wear-resistant.
- π₯ CST β Good balance between price and quality.
- π₯ Innova β soft, but wears out quickly.
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Before buying a new tire, check its compatibility with your model of scooter. M365 A tire size of 8.5 x 2.0 is suitable, and for the Pro 2 - 8.5 x 2.125!