Disassembly of the front wheel of the scooter Xiaomi M365: full-length guide

Disassembly of the front wheel Xiaomi M365 — The challenge that every owner of this popular electric scooter faces sooner or later.Whether you plan to replace worn rubber, eliminate backlash in bearings or conduct deep cleaning of mechanisms, the right approach to disassembly will save time and prevent damage. Unlike the rear wheel with the built-in motor, the front wheel has no electrical components, but its design still requires carefulness, especially when working with bearings and axles.

This guide will be suitable for both beginners and experienced users, and we will not only examine the basic steps, but also the hidden nuances: for example, how to avoid bearing distortion during reverse assembly or why you can not use the bearings. WD-40 You'll also learn which tools are really needed and which ones you can do without, which will save you money on buying unnecessary gear. If you haven't done scooter repair before, start by preparing your workplace. Clean surfaces and good lighting will reduce the risk of losing small parts.

Training: tools and materials

Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need, and not even one tool can interrupt the process in the middle, and here's the minimum set you'll need:

• 🔧 Hexagonal key 5 mm - for unscrewing the wheel axis (standard size for M365).
• 🔨 End key or head 14 mm - for the axis nut (alternative - a wiring key, but it is less convenient).
• 🔩 Bearing Remover – if you plan to replace them (you can replace it with a screwdriver and a hammer, but the risk of damage is higher).
• 🧴 Lubricant for bearings – for example, Liqui Moly LM 47 or similar lithium lubricant.Do not use WD-40!
• 🧤 Gloves – protection of hands from dirt and sharp edges of metal parts.
• 📦 Container for small parts - so as not to lose washers or locking rings.

If you are disassembling the wheel to replace the tire, additionally prepare:

• 🚲 New camera/tyre – check compatibility with size 8.5” (standard for the tyre) M365).
• 🛠️ Installation blades - for dismantling the tire (2-3 stuff).
• 💨 Pump with pressure gauge – to pump the wheel correctly after assembly (optimum pressure: 35–50) PSI).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal mounting blades - they can damage the rim of the wheel.

Step 1: Dismount the wheel from the scooter

Start by detaching the wheel from the frame. This is a simple step, but there are a few critical points here:

1. Turn the scooter upside down with your wheels and hold it in a steady position. Use a stand or stops to avoid falling.
2. Unscrew the braking cable mount bolt (if it interferes with access to the axle). M365 It is located on a fork next to the wheel.
3. With a 5mm hexagon, you can unscrew the two bolts that hold the wheel axis to the fork, and they're on the sides.
4. Carefully remove the axle from the slots of the fork. If it does not lend itself, slightly wobble the wheel left-right, without putting too much effort.

At this stage, many people make the mistake of trying to pull the axis out without fully unscrewing the mount bolts. This can lead to strain of the thread or damage to the fork. If the bolts are twisted too tight, use penetrating lubricant (for example, use penetrating lubricant, PB Blaster and wait 5-10 minutes.

Step 2: Disassembling the wheel – removing the tire and camera

After removing the wheel from the scooter, start disassembling the tire itself, and the main thing is not to damage the rim and the camera (if you plan to reuse it).

1. Pull the air out of the chamber by pressing the nipple. If the wheel is flattened, you can skip this step.
2. Insert a mounting blade between the tire and the rim, starting on the side opposite the nipple. Lock it by hooking up the edge of the tire.
3. The second shoulder blade insert at a distance of 10-15 cm from the first and carefully turn the edge of the tire behind the rim.
4. Continue to move in a circle until one side of the tire is completely removed from the rim.
5. Remove the camera, starting with the nipple, and inspect it for punctures or wear.

If the tire is stuck to the rim (a common occurrence after long use), do not try to tear it off by force. Use a soap solution or a special tyre lubricant (for example, Finish Line Tire Lever Lube) to facilitate the process.

• 🚫 Do not use a screwdriver instead of a mounting blade - it can pierce the camera.
• 🔄 If the tire sits tightly back, check the direction of the tread pattern (indicated by the arrow on the sidewall).
• 🧼 After removing the tire, clean the rim from the old lubricant and dirt - this will prolong the life of the new camera.

⚠️ Warning: If you find a camera with small cracks or bloating, it needs to be replaced, even if it still holds air, and these defects cause a sudden puncture while driving.

Step 3: Dismantling bearings and axles

This stage is the most critical, as wrong actions can damage bearings or axle thread.In the Xiaomi wheel M365 Two radial bearings are used. 6004-2RS (closed type, with rubber seals:

1. Place the wheel on a flat surface rim upwards.
2. With a 14mm end key, unscrew the nut on one side of the axle. Don't remove it completely, just loosen it.
3. Turn the wheel over and do the same thing on the other side, and you can now completely remove the nuts and the washers.
4. Pull the axis out of the hub gently. If it doesn't lend itself, tap it lightly through a wooden paddle (not a metal hammer!).
5. Remove the bearings from the hub, which can be done by using a removable or gently knocking them out with a hammer through a mandrel (e.g., an old axle).

Notice the order of the washers and the locking rings, which will need to be set back in the same order. Here's a typical pattern (from the outside of the wheel to the inside):

If the bearings are jammed or they creak when they are rotating, they must be replaced. Check the axle for bullies or corrosion - if any, the axle is better replaced, as it can damage new bearings.

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Before installing new bearings, warm them up in hot water (not boiling water!) for 5-10 minutes - this will make it easier to land on the axle.

Step 4: Cleaning and lubricating components

After disassembly, all metal parts should be cleaned of old lubrication and dirt, which will prolong the life of the wheel and improve its performance.

• 🧹 Clean the axis and hub with kerosene or white spirit with a brush. Don't use water, it will cause corrosion.
• 🧴 Wash the bearings in gasoline or a special cleaner (for example, ABRO Don't spin them with your fingers, it'll hurt the seals.
• 🧽 Wash the rim and the tyre with soapy solution, then dry. Check the rim for dents or burrs.

Use lithium or graphite lubricant to lubricate the bearings, apply it thinly to the inside of the bearing, then spread it evenly, scrolling through the outer clip, avoiding overlubrication, which will cause it to be squeezed out and contaminate the brake pads.

The axis must also be lubricated before assembly, but with a thin layer, and the excess lubrication here will cause it to hit the brake disc, reducing the efficiency of braking, and the best option is a molybdenum disulfide lubricant.

⚠️ Attention: Never use WD-40 Or other penetrating bearing lubricants, which flush out the factory lubricant and cause premature wear and tear.

Step 5: Reverse assembly of the wheel

Assembling is a mirror image of the disassembly, but with a number of nuances, the main rule is that all the parts must fall into place without effort, and if something doesn't get up, you missed a step or you installed the part incorrectly.

Follow this order:

1. Place the first bearing in the hub, it should sit tightly without skewing, use the mandrel or the old axle for uniform pressure.
2. Insert a remote sleeve between the bearings (if you have one in your model).
3. Set up the second bearing.
4. Pass the axis through the hub and fix it with locking rings and washers in reverse order.
5. Twisting the nuts on both sides, but don't tighten them completely. The wheel should rotate freely, without backlash.
6. Place the camera and tire back on the rim, starting on the side opposite the nipple.
7. Pump the wheel to 35-50 pressure PSI (optimally 40 PSI town-riding).

After assembly, check:

• 🔄 The wheel should rotate smoothly, without jamming.
• 🚫 There should be no backlash in the horizontal plane (swing the wheel left-right).
• 🔊 No creaking or crunch should be heard when rotating.

If you still have the backbone, you need to tighten the axle nuts a little bit. If the wheel is spinning tightly, you need to loosen them. A properly assembled wheel should rotate for at least 10 seconds after spinning with your hand.

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The back of the wheel after assembly is a sign of misplaced bearings or insufficient nut tightening.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Xiaomi wheel. M365. Here are the most common ones and how to prevent them:

• 🔧 Axis nut pulling → And that's causing the bearings to spin and wear out. Solution: Tighten the nuts to the end, then loosen them on the end. 1/8 turnover.
• 🧲 Loss of lock rings → Without them, the bearings will break quickly. Solution: Use a magnetic pallet for small parts.
• 🔥 Overheating of bearings during installation → Solution: Do not heat bearings above 80°C.
• 💨 Wrong pressure in the chamber → Too high pressure makes you uncomfortable, too low pressure causes you to puncture.Solution: Use a pressure gauge.
• 🔄 Rear-mounting of the tire → Solution: Watch the rotational direction arrow on the sidewall.

Another common problem is the damage to the nipple when installing the camera. To avoid this, make sure that the hole in the rim has no burrs, and use plastic protection (comes with a new camera).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of the Xiaomi wheel M365