Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter has proven to be a reliable vehicle, but even the most durable components require maintenance over time. Most often, owners face the need to replace the camera, fix a puncture or replace front wheel bearings. Dismounting the wheel is not a difficult procedure, but requires accuracy and understanding of the design of the fork.
Incorrectly disassembled can cause speedometer cable damage or axle deformation. In this article, we will discuss the front wheel removal process for the M365, Pro, Pro 2 and Essential models in detail. You will learn what tools you will need, how to avoid common errors and properly assemble the knot back.
Before starting work, make sure the scooter is off. Although the front wheel does not have a direct electrical connection to the motor (unlike the rear), accidental damage to the speed sensor can cause errors in the control system. Be prepared for the fact that some bolts can be tightened quite strongly due to vibrations during operation.
Tools and workplace preparation required
To do a good job of dismantling the wheel, you will need the minimum set of tools that any home craftsman usually has, the main tool will be a set of six-sided keys (Allen keys). Depending on the modification of the scooter, you may need keys sized 4 mm, 5 mm and possibly 8 mm.
It is also highly recommended to have pliers or thin passages on hand, which will be needed to extract the splint or the locking ring that fixes the axis of the wheel. For ease of work with fasteners, you can use WD-40 or similar penetrating lubricant, if the bolts have not been unscrewed for a long time.
Prepare a clean surface for work. Cover the table with a soft cloth so that you don't scratch the decorative elements of the fork or wheel rim when you disassemble. If you're planning to change the camera, make a new spare camera or puncture repair kit right away.
⚠️ Warning: Before any disassembly work begins, be sure to completely discharge or disconnect the scooter battery if the design permits.Although the front wheel is mechanical, an accidental short circuit in the area of the speed sensor can damage the controller.
Don't neglect the organization of space. Put the bolts and small parts that you've removed into separate containers. Losing a small screw or washer can turn a simple repair into a multi-hour search for analogs.
☑️ Preparation for repairs
Dismantling of protective elements and cable speedometer
The process of removing the wheel begins with the release of access to the fasteners. The first step is to remove the reflector (cataphote) if it is installed on the front fork. In most models of the Xiaomi M365, it is attached to one or two screws, which are easily twisted with a hexagon.
The next critical step is to unplug the speed sensor cable, which goes through the fork hole and goes to the wheel axis. Carefully pull the rubber anther and find the rope attachment. Some versions simply insert the rope into the groove, others may require light effort to extract it.
Be extremely careful with this element. The cable of the speedometer is quite fragile, and its damage will cause the scooter to stop seeing the speed of the wheel rotation, which will cause a system error or engine lock.
- 🔧 Use a thin screwdriver or tweezers to carefully remove the rope from the seat.
- 👀 Visually inspect the cable insulation for cracks or scuffs before mounting the wheel back.
- 🚫 Do not pull the wire itself sharply - act smoothly so as not to damage the internal contacts.
Once the cable is free, remove it to the side so that it does not interfere with further work, and make sure that there is nothing in the area of the axis dismantling that prevents the tools from moving freely.
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Take a picture of the position of the speedometer cable before removing it, which will help you to properly set it back and avoid overburdens that can lead to breakage.
Front wheel axle removal process
Now, the main step is the axis dismantling, and the front wheel axis is a long bolt that runs through the fork and hub of the wheel, and on one side (usually on the left, if you look at it from above) it is fixed by a nut or a locking ring, and on the other side it has a hat under a hexagon.
The first step is to remove the locking element, depending on the year of the scooter, it can be a splint that needs to be straightened with pliers, or a locking ring that is removed with a thin screwdriver, and some versions use an 8mm or 10mm turnkey counternut.
After removing the lock, take a key of the appropriate size (usually 5 mm or 6 mm) and start to twist the axis. If the bolt is stuck, do not make excessive efforts in a jerk - it is better to drop a little penetrating lubricant and wait 5-10 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: When twisting the axle, hold the wheel with the second hand. Once the thread is outside the fork, the wheel may fall to the floor, causing rim damage or axis deformation.
Twisting the axle until the threaded part is fully out of the fork. Carefully remove the bolt, trying not to lose the remote washers or bushings that may be between the fork and the hub of the wheel, their loss will lead to the backlash of the wheel in further use.
Wheel extraction and condition diagnosis
Once the axle is fully removed, the front wheel is free. Carefully remove it from the fork. At this stage, it is recommended to conduct a full diagnosis of the condition of the unit while access is open. Carefully examine the bearings - they should rotate smoothly, without crunch or jamming.
Check the condition of the tire and rim. The presence of cracks on the rim or severe rubbing of the rubber signals the need for replacement, and also examine the inside of the fork for chips of paint or corrosion that may have formed due to moisture.
| Element | What to pay attention to | Action in case of defect |
|---|---|---|
| Bearings | Luft, noise, rust | Replacement (model 6002 RS) |
| Tire. | Cracks, cuts, hernias. | Replacement of tires |
| Camera. | Punctures, loss of elasticity | Repair or replacement |
| Axis of wheels | Sliced carving, curvature | Axis replacement |
If you've been removing a camera replacement wheel, now is the time to install a new one, so make sure the camera is properly straightened inside the tire and not sandwiched between the tire and the rim, otherwise you may have a second puncture right after the pump.
What bearings are in the front wheel?
Assembly of the unit and installation of the wheel back
The assembly is done in reverse disassembly, insert the wheel between the fork's horns, making sure it's in the center, and if there were remote bushings on the axle, remember to put them in place before you put the axle in.
Carefully insert the axle into the fork and wheel hub opening. Start twisting the bolt manually so that the thread is not broken. Make sure the axle is free, without skewing. If you feel resistance, check the position of the wheel - it may be skewed.
Twisting the axis to the end, but don't tighten it as hard as you can, first you need to plug the cable in the speedometer, insert the tip of the cable into the appropriate hole on the axis or hub (depending on the design of the Hall sensor in your model), and snap the lock.
- 🔩 Tighten the axle evenly, controlling the force so as not to damage the thread of the aluminum fork.
- 📏 Check the gap between the tire and the fork elements – it should be the same on both sides.
- 🛡️ Set the reflector (cataphot) in the regular place and fasten the screws.
Once you have all the elements in place, you should tighten the axis, if you have used a splint or a locking ring, you should re-set them, and you should prefer the new locking elements, because the old ones might lose their properties when you remove them.
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The main rule of assembly is that the cable of the speedometer should be connected until the final tightening of the axle, but after the wheel has fallen into place, this ensures that the wire does not tense.
Final inspection and testing
Once assembled, you have to do a final check, turn on the scooter and lift the front wheel above the ground, manually spin the wheel and look at the display, and the speed readings should appear and change in proportion to the speed of rotation.
The absence of speed readings or jerks on the display indicates improper connection of the cable or damage to the sensor, in which case the disassembly procedure will have to be repeated, paying special attention to the contact group.
Also check the wheel for backlash. Rock it to the sides, holding the fork. If you feel free running, then the axle is not tight enough or washers are lost. Excessive backlash will lead to rapid wear of bearings and unstable behavior of the scooter on the road.
⚠️ Warning: Before the first full-time run after repair, make a test lap at low speed.Sharp braking or acceleration can reveal hidden build defects that are easier to fix right away.
Check tire pressure. After changing the camera or repairing the puncture, the pressure may have changed. For Xiaomi models, the optimal pressure is in the 45-50 PSI range (3.0-3.5 bar), but the exact values are always indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
What if after assembly the scooter writes a speed sensor error?
Regular chassis maintenance prolongs the life of the scooter and ensures safety of the ride. Disassembling the front wheel on the Xiaomi scooter yourself is a task quite feasible for any user with basic tools skills.