Xiaomi Electric Scooter Series Mi Electric Scooter 1S, Pro 2 and M365 They've proven to be reliable and convenient devices for urban mobility, but even the best rubber is subject to wear and sharp objects on the road can cause a puncture or a cut in the camera. How to remove the wheel for repair or replacement of the tire without contacting the service center?
The process of dismantling the front wheel is technically less complicated than the rear, because it does not require turning off the power cables of the motor wheel or complex work with the circuit. However, there are nuances associated with the braking system and the mounting of the fork. Wrong actions can lead to damage to the speed sensor or axis deformation. In this material, we will discuss in detail each step of the procedure, the necessary tools and safety measures.
Before you start the active phase of disassembly, you need to prepare the workplace. You need a clean, flat surface with good lighting. Stock up on a set of tools in advance, as some bolts can be tightened by the manufacturer with great effort or have traces of a locking glue. It is critical to completely disable the scooter battery before starting work, transferring the power switch to the position OFF.
Tools and preparation for work required
Quality preparation is the key to successful repair and the absence of unnecessary damage to plastic or thread. M365 Or Pro 2, you're going to need a specific, but accessible set of tools, and you don't have to try to unscrew the fasteners with the wrong keys, because it can rip the bolts off.
The main tool will be a set of six-sided keys (Allen keys). Most often, a size of 5 mm is required, but it is better to have a full set of 2 to 6 mm on hand. To work with axle nuts, you may need a movable key or a head of 10 mm. It is also extremely useful to have a plastic blade for carefully cracking plugs and clips so as not to scratch the aluminum fork.
- 🛠️ Set of hexagonal keys (basic size 5 mm)
- 🔧 10 mm dilution key or head for axle
- 🧤 Tight working gloves to protect your hands
- 🧼 Mulch and cleaner to remove dirt from the node
Before dismantling, it is recommended to treat threaded connections with penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40), If the scooter was in high humidity or dirt, it would make it much easier to unscrew bolts that might have stuck during operation, make sure that the scooter deck is stable, you could use a stand or have the assistant hold the steering wheel.
⚠️ Warning: Before any wheel manipulation, be sure to turn off power to the scooter via a button on the deck.Although the front wheel is not directly connected to the battery, an accidental short circuit of the speed sensor or spark can be dangerous.
Some craftsmen recommend using a dynamometer key when backassembling to avoid dragging the threads in an aluminum fork. Aluminum is a soft metal, and excessive force can damage the seats, leading to backlashes in the future. Compliance (torque) is especially important for owners of heavy modifications.
Organize the space so that all the bolts and fine details are not lost. Small cogs are easily rolled under furniture or lost in the pile of the carpet. Use a magnetic tray or a small container. Cleanliness in the area is also important: sand or abrasive dust trapped inside bearings or on the brake disc can cause creaking and accelerated wear.
Dismounting of brake caliper and axle protection
The first step in the disassembly process is to remove the elements that physically block the wheel's extraction. At the front of Xiaomi, it's primarily a brake caliper. It attaches directly to the plug and covers the brake disc, so it's impossible to pull the wheel out without removing it.
To remove the caliper, you need to twist two bolts located on the inside of the fork. They usually have a 5 mm hexagon thread. Be careful: the bolts can be tightened very much, and they are often covered with a factory carving fixture (blue or red). When unscrewed, make a confident effort, but make sure that the key does not break off and damage the surrounding plastic or paint.
Once the bolts are unscrewed, carefully remove the caliper. The brake disc should come out of the pads freely. It is not recommended to press the brake trigger on the steering wheel at this time, since the pads may close, and you will have to push them apart with a screwdriver to put the caliper in place. To avoid accidental pressing, you can fix the brake trigger in the open position with a plastic screed or rubber band.
- 🔩 Twisting two brake caliper fastening bolts
- 🛑 Carefully remove the caliper from the brake disc
- 🔒 Hold the brake trigger so that the pads do not close.
- 🧹 Wipe the brake disc from dust and dirt
The removed caliper is best hung on the steering wheel or placed on the deck so that it does not hang on the brake hose. The tension of the hose can damage its internal structure or disrupt the tightness of the system. If you plan long work, the caliper can be carefully placed on a clean rag next to the scooter.
Then you need to release the wheel axis. On the outside of the fork is a nut, and on the inside is a bolt or a second nut, often closed with a plastic plug. On Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2 and newer models, the design may differ slightly with the presence of additional washers or slots. Carefully inspect the knot before you start unscrewing.
⚠️ Warning: When removing the brake caliper, watch the brake pads. If they are worn to the metal base, they must be replaced at the same time as the wheel repair, otherwise you will damage the brake disc.
Owners sometimes find themselves in a situation where the axis nut is twisted with the bolt, in which case one side is locked with the key and the other is twisted with the other, and using good-quality tools with good grip (for example, heads instead of carob keys) minimizes the risk of licking the faces.
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Take a picture of the washers and the paddles on the axle before you take them off, and when you assemble them, you have to set them in the same order and orientation so that the wheel is flat and doesn't beat when you're spinning.
Removing the wheel from the fork and working with the sensor
After removing the brake caliper and weakening the axle mounting nut, the most critical moment comes - the extraction of the wheel itself. At first glance, it seems that it is enough to remove the axle, but the design of Xiaomi provides a speed sensor that requires special attention.
Speed sensor (ABS sensor) is located on the inside of the fork, next to the brake disc, it is fixed by a small bolt and connected to the wiring that goes inside the steering rack.
The process of removing it is like this: you get the axis to spin completely first, then you have to tilt the wheel a little bit or move it down to get the sensor out of its seat, and only after you've made sure that nothing's holding the wheel can you gently pull it forward, and then you have to push it forward, and then you have to tilt it a little bit, and you can slash the wires of the sensor.
| Element | Type of attachment | Tool. | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake caliper | 2 bolts | 5 mm hexagon | Often on the carving fixator |
| Axis of wheels | nuke + Bolt. | Key 10 mm/5 mm | Requires fixation on both sides |
| Speed sensor. | 1 bolt + groove | Hexagon 2.5-3 mm | Fragile, requires care. |
| Push-up | Plastic. | Plastic spatula | It breaks down when you're not taking it off. |
If the wheel doesn't come out, don't use force. Check if the brake caliper is completely free and there's something else in the way. Sometimes you need to sway the wheel slightly from side to side to get it out of the fork bearing seats. Rust or dirt on the axles can create additional resistance.
Once the wheel is removed, inspect the seats in the fork, there should be no bullies, corrosion or foreign objects, wipe the inside of the fork with a rag if necessary, and the cleanliness of the contact surfaces will ensure that the wheel is properly re-mounted and no backlashes are present.
What to do if the sensor wire is broken?
Disassembly of the wheel: replacement of the camera and tires
When the wheel is removed from the scooter, you can start repairing the tire. Depending on the modification, Xiaomi can have chamber tires or tubeless tires. The disassembly procedure for them is similar, but has its own characteristics. You will need mounting blades to work.
First, you need to flush the air out of the chamber completely. To do this, press the nipple until the air stops coming out. Then, using the mounting blades, you can tuck the tyre side and turn it outside the rim. Act in sequence, moving the blades around until one side of the tyre is completely outside.
Then you can remove the camera. Carefully examine the inside of the tire for foreign objects (glass, nails, thorns) that could cause a puncture. The tire must be clean inside, otherwise the new camera will also be punctured in no time.
- 🎈 Lower the air and turn the side of the tires with mounts
- 🔍 Check the inside of the tire for sharp objects.
- 🛁 Check the camera for leakproofness (by dipping into water)
- 🔁 Install a new camera by straightening the folds
When you install a new camera, it's important not to pinch it with the side of the tire. Pump the camera just a little bit so that it takes a round shape, insert the nipple into the rim hole and gently fill the camera inside. Then, using mounting blades or hands, refuel the side of the tire back on the rim. Make sure that the camera does not fall under the side.
For tubeless tires, the process is more complicated and often requires the use of a special sealant and compressor for initial pumping, so that the board “captures” with the rim. M365), Make sure you use the camera with the right nipple exit angle (straight or at an angle) 45/90 degrees) so that it does not rest against the brake disc.
⚠️ Attention: When using mounting blades, do not put excessive effort on the rim, especially if it is aluminum. The sharp edge of the blade can damage the surface of the rim, which will violate the tightness of the tubeless tire.
After the wheel is assembled, pump the camera to the operating pressure. The recommended pressure is usually indicated on the sidewall of the tire (usually 45-50 PSI or 3.0-3.5 A poorly pumped wheel increases the risk of a snake bite (camera puncture against the rim when hitting an obstacle), and a pumped wheel makes the ride stiff and increases the risk of a camera explosion.
☑️ Checklist for camera replacement
Assembly of the unit and check of operability
The assembly is done in reverse order, but requires attention to detail. Insert the wheel axis into the fork, making sure that the brake disc has entered the caliper slot correctly (which is not yet installed) and the speed sensor has fallen into place. Carefully earn the axle nut without tightening it completely.
Put the brake caliper in place. Put the holes in the fork and the caliper body together, insert the bolts and twist them. At this point, it's important to center the caliper relative to the brake disc. The gaps between the pads and the disc should be the same on both sides so that the disc does not rub when it rotates.
So the method you can use to center the caliper is to loosen the mount bolts a little bit so that the caliper can move a little bit. Press the brake trigger on the steering wheel hard, and hold it tight, tighten the caliper mount bolts, and this will automatically place the pads in the center of the disc.
| Action. | Checkpoint | Possible problem | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis installation | Tight fit | Luft wheels | Pull the axis nut. |
| Installation of caliper | Disc centering | Disc friction | Re-center the caliper |
| Speed sensor. | Integrity of wire | Display error | Check the contact |
| Wheel. | Tyre pressure | Running beat | Check the tyre assembly |
Once all the elements are fixed, check the wheel to rotate freely, without any extraneous sounds or jamming, the brake disc must not touch the pads in its free state, and if you hear metal grinding or friction, repeat the caliper centering procedure.
Turn on the scooter and check the speed map on the display. Try to drive a few meters. If there are no errors, and the braking is effective and without jerking, then the assembly is successful. Be sure to check the tightening of all the bolts after the first one. 10-20 mileage, as new details may sit a little».
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Correctly centering the brake caliper is a key component of the assembly, and ignoring this step will cause the pads to frictize constantly, overheat the disc, and reduce the scooter's range.
Typical mistakes and expert advice
In the process of self-repair, Xiaomi owners often make a number of common mistakes that can nullify all efforts or lead to new breakdowns. One of the most common is ignoring the condition of the brake pads. When changing the camera, many forget to look at the wear of the pads, and then wonder why the brakes are working poorly.
Another common mistake is to misplace the speed sensor, which, if it gets curved or too far from the magnet on the disk, will "think" the wheel is still, or will show an incorrect speed, and can also cause cruise control and recovery to malfunction.
Don't use thick lithium lubricants to lubricate axles and bearings if you live in a dusty region. They collect abrasive dust, turning into grinding paste. Better use Teflon-based sprays or special bearing lubricants that stick less to dirt.
- 🚫 Do not ignore the wear of brake pads when removing the caliper
- 🚫 Don't use it. WD-40 as a permanent lubricant (it washes out the lubricant)
- 🚫 Do not leave the caliper hanging on the hose after removal
- 🚫 Do not tighten the bolts “to the point” without a sense of proportion
Experts also advise regular tire pressure checks, which is critical for an electric scooter, low pressure not only increases the risk of puncture, but also increases the battery load, reducing the range, and keep the tires pumped according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
If you notice the wheel is eight-dimensional or vibrating at speed after assembly, you may have had the tire stand up unevenly on the rim. Try flushing the air, lubricating the tyre side with soap solution and pumping it back up again to control the uniformity of the fit around the rim, and in some cases, you need to replace the tyre itself if it's deformed.