Disassembly of the wheel of the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi: instructions with nuances and life hacks

Xiaomi's robot vacuum wheels are one of the most vulnerable parts of the design, and over time they get clogged with hair, threads and dust, start slipping or creaking. In some cases, complete disassembly is required to be done to clean it deeply, replace the rubber rim or repair the drive engine, but it's not as easy as it seems to be to disassemble the wheel, because the wrong actions can damage plastic latches, break wires, or lose small parts.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step photo guide that will be suitable for most Xiaomi Mi Robot models (including Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, and others). We will tell you what tools you need, how to avoid typical errors and what to do if the wheel is stuck to the axle, and also give you tips on prevention to disassemble the wheels as rarely as possible.

What tools will be needed to disassemble

Before you start, prepare everything you need, and without the right tools, you risk breaking your mounts or scratching your vacuum cleaner body.

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or opener - for careful slapping of latches (metal screwdrivers scratch plastic!).
• ⚙️ Cross screwdriver PH0 or PH1 — Most of the screws in Xiaomi have a small crosshead.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or bowl – so as not to lose screws and small details.
• 🧴 Silicone lubricant or WD-40 — if the wheel is "stuck" to the axle.
• 📸 Smartphone for photography – fix the location of parts before disassembling.

If you are planning to clean the wheel engine, additionally prepare:

• 🧼 Isopropyl alcohol (70% and higher) – for cleaning contacts.
• 🪣 Toothbrush with hard bristles - to remove dirt from hard-to-reach places.
• 🔋 Multimeter – to check the performance of the engine after disassembly.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use knives or metal blades to smear plastic! even a small effort can lead to cracks in the wheel body or base of the vacuum cleaner.

Preparing a robot vacuum cleaner for dismantling

Before you disassemble the wheel, you need to properly prepare the device, which will save you from short circuits and damage to the electronics.

Turn off the vacuum cleaner with the power button

Remove the battery (if possible)

Clean the wheel of visible dirt with a dry cloth

Take a picture of the initial state of the wheel and mounts

Prepare a workplace with good lighting-->

If your Xiaomi model allows you to remove the battery (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro), do it by all means. Otherwise, it is enough to disconnect the device from the charging station and pull the power plug (if the vacuum cleaner was on charging). Do not disassemble the wheel when the power is on - this can cause a firmware failure or damage to the engine controller.

Pay attention to the condition of the wheel:

• 🔍 If it doesn't rotate at all, the problem could be a wire break or motor failure.
• 🔊 If the wheel creaks or cracks, it is likely that axle lubrication or rubber rim replacement is required.
• 🌀 If the wheel slips, check for tread wear or hair in the mechanism.

If the wheel is jammed and not removed from the axle, do not force! first try to treat the connection site WD-40 or silicone lubricant, wait 10-15 minutes and gently swing the wheel from side to side.

Step-by-step: how to remove the wheel from the robot vacuum cleaner

The wheel removal process is the same for most Xiaomi models, but there may be slight differences in the mounts.

1. Step 1: Turn the vacuum cleaner over and place it on a flat surface (such as a table covered with soft cloth) and make sure there are no small parts nearby that may fall inside the case.
2. Step 2. Find a screw on the wheel axis that can be covered by a plug (e.g., Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P models). Carefully apply a plug with a plastic mediator.
3. Step 3: Unscrew the screw with a cross screwdriver. Be careful, it may be "stommer." If the screw doesn't lend itself, drop a little. WD-40 And wait 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove the wheel from the axle. Pull it on yourself, swaying slightly from side to side. If the wheel is not removed, check if there are any hidden latches (see photo below).

In some models (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite), the wheel is mounted not only with a screw, but also with plastic latches. To unfasten them, gently press the wheel body from the side, as shown in the diagram:

⚠️ Warning: If you hear a crack when you remove the wheel, stop disassembling immediately! The plastic latch is likely to have broken.

💡

If the wheel is not removed even after lubrication, try to heat it with a hair dryer (temperature not higher than 50).°C. Heat will expand the plastic and facilitate dismantling.

Disassembly of the wheel: how to get to the engine and mechanism

When you take the wheel off the axle, you'll see the internal design of the wheel. In most Xiaomi models, the wheel consists of:

• 🟠 Rubber rim (removed for replacement or cleaning).
• ⚫ Plastic case with latches.
• 🔵 Drive engine (can be integrated into the body or removable).
• 🟢 Cogs and axles (require lubricants when creaking).

To take the wheel apart completely:

1. Remove the rubber rim. It's usually fixed to the plastic base by the sealing ring, put it in the mediator, pull it together.
2. Unscrew the screws on the plastic case (usually 2-3 pieces). Be careful - some screws may be hidden under stickers!
3. Carefully separate the two halves of the body. Inside you'll see the engine and the gears. Don't pull the wires - they can come off the board!

If your goal is to clean the engine, do this:

• 🧹 Remove Dust and Hair with a Toothbrush.
• 💧 Wipe your contacts with isopropyl alcohol (do not use water!).
• 🔋 Check the multimeter resistance of the motor winding (should be within 10–50 ohms).

Cleaning and lubrication of the wheel mechanism

The main cause of wheel failures is dirt accumulation and lubrication drying. After dismantling, be sure to conduct a deep cleaning:

• 🧹 Remove hair and thread from the gears and axles. Use tweezers or toothpicks.
• 🧼 Wash the rubber rim with warm water and soap (do not use aggressive detergents!).
• 🛢️ Apply silicone lubrication to the axle and gears. Never use litol or solidol - they collect dust and dry quickly!
• 🔍 Check the condition of the rubber tread, if it's worn to plastic, it needs to be replaced.

For lubrication,

• 🟢 Silicone lubricant in spray (for example, WD-40 Specialist Silicone).
• 🟢 Lubricant for plastic machinery (e.g. Liqui Moly Kunststoff-Pflege).
• ❌ Not suitable: litol, solidol, graphite lubricant, oil for sewing machines.

After lubrication, manually scroll the wheel several times so that the lubricant is evenly distributed. Make sure it rotates smoothly, without jamming.

💡

You put a thin layer of lubrication on it, and the excess lubrication will cause the dust to stick and the mechanism to clog again.

Wheel assembly and placement

The wheel should be assembled in reverse order, but with some nuances:

1. Make sure all parts are dry and clean (especially the engine and contacts).
2. When installing a rubber rim, make sure that it sits smoothly, without distortions.
3. Twisting the screws cross-cross to avoid skewing the body.
4. When installing the wheel on the axle, do not make excessive efforts - it should sit smoothly, without creaking.

After assembly:

• 🔄 Turn on the vacuum cleaner and check the wheel rotation in both directions.
• 🎛️ Start the cleaning test cycle (without a wet cloth!).
• 🔊 Listen to the wheel for extraneous noise.

⚠️ Warning: If the wheel turns in jerks or makes a grind after assembly, take it apart again and check: Correct fitting of gears, no skewing of the rubber rim, quality of lubrication (possibly too much).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Xiaomi wheel.

If you make a mistake, don't panic. For example, a broken plastic latch can be temporarily fixed with superglue (but it's not a long-term solution). And if you lose a screw, pick up a similar one from the radio parts store (usually a screw). M2×6 mm crossheaded).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of the Xiaomi wheel