The efficiency of cleaning with a robotic or wireless vacuum cleaner depends on the condition of its main working organ, the turbobrush. Over time, the pile of the carpet or the fur of pets winds up on the rotating shaft, blocking the bearings and overloading the engine. If you notice that the brush has stopped rotating or emits a characteristic buzzing sound, and the indicators burn normally, then it is time for maintenance.
Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to remove the side cover and pull the brush out. However, a complete cleaning, especially in the field of bearing units, requires a complete disassembly of the structure. In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of dismantling the main elements of the turbo brush of Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum, Roborock and their analogues, this will not only restore air throughput, but also prolong the life of the expensive accessory.
Before you start to act, you need to prepare the workplace, you need a clean surface, good lighting and a minimum set of tools. Ignoring simple safety rules can damage plastic latches or lose small parts. Remember, regular maintenance takes less time than finding a replacement for a failed module.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting any work, be sure to turn off the vacuum cleaner and remove the battery if the design of the model allows it. Working with a connected battery when disassembling electrical components can lead to a short circuit.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Qualitative disassembly is impossible without the right tools. Xiaomi brush design is usually assembled on screws with Phillips-type screws (cross) or, in some cases, requires the use of a flat screwdriver to slap the latches. Do not try to pick plastic with a knife or sharp objects, as this leaves deep scratches and can split the body.
You'll need a small kit to work comfortably, which you'll find in any home, a PH1 or PH0 sized cross screwdriver, tweezers to extract stuck hairs, and a hard-pile brush to remove dust. If you're planning to lubricate bearings, make a suitable silicone lubricant that won't break down plastic.
Organize the space so that small screws don't get lost. Plastic containers for sorting parts will help you not confuse the mounts of different types. Often the screws on the bearing lid and on the main body can differ in length, and their installation in the wrong holes can damage the internal structure.
- 🔧 Cross screwdriver (PH0/PH1) hull-screw.
- ✂️ Scissors or blade for careful cutting of wound threads.
- 🧹 Hard brush for cleaning the pile and contacts.
- 🧴 Silicone lubrication to restore the rotation of bearings.
Make sure you have dry rags or paper towels on hand, and after removing the brush, large amounts of fine dust and allergens can be poured out of it, which should be removed immediately so that they do not get back into the room or into the master’s airways.
Primary removal and removal of visible contaminants
The process begins with removing the main brush module from the vacuum cleaner body. Turn the device upside down. Depending on the model (Xiaomi Vacuum Mop, Roborock S5/S6, etc.), the locking mechanism may differ, usually two lockers on the sides or one central latch.
Press the locks and pull the brush down. Don't use excessive force. If the piece doesn't respond, check if it's blocked by debris. After extraction, inspect the end covers. One of them has a drive gear that transmits rotation from the vacuum cleaner engine to the brush shaft.
The first step in cleaning is to remove the large lumps of hair and hair, and use scissors to gently cut the thick layer of winding along the shaft, so you don't damage the pile of the brush itself, and then remove the cut fragments, which will free the shaft and make it easier to remove the end caps.
It is important to check the bristles. If the pile is worn out, short or brittle, mechanical cleaning will not help, and you will need to replace the brush with a new one. For models with combined bristles (plastic + pile), the abrasion of soft areas is characteristic, which reduces the efficiency of collecting dust from smooth floors.
Disassembly of end covers and bearing assembly
The most critical part of the service is the bearing assembly, and this is where the hair gets stuck, which, when it winds up on the axle, blocks rotation, and you have to remove the end cover from the bearing side (opposite to the gear side) to access it.
On the outside of the lid, there are usually screws. In some Xiaomi models, they're hidden under decorative stickers or rubber plugs. Take a close look at the surface. Unscrew the screws and gently remove the lid. Under it, you'll see the bearing and the axle.
Often the hairs go deep inside the bearing. You can't just pull them out. You have to take the lid off completely and, if you can, knock or pull the shaft out of the bearing carefully. In some models, the bearing is pressed into the lid and you have to clean it with a thin needle or needle.
☑️ Checklist for bearing disassembly
Pay special attention to the boulder bearing. If it is damaged or badly worn, the lubricant can leak out and dirt will get inside. In this case, it is better to replace the bearing with a similar size (usually miniature ball bearings of the 68x series). The standard bearing size for most Xiaomi brushes is 8x16x5 mm, but always check the marking on your device.
Cleaning the shaft and gears
Once the covers are removed, the brush shaft becomes fully accessible. Carefully clean it of glue, hair and dirt residues. Use tweezers to remove small villi stuck in the grooves. Do not use aggressive solvents that can dissolve plastic or wash off factory markings.
Now, to the drive side, remove the second cover, where the gear is, and there's often compressed dust that accumulates, which works like an abrasive, and carefully clean the gear teeth with an old toothbrush, and see if there's any chipping or cracking on the teeth.
If the gear is removable, remove it and wash it. In some models, it is fixed tightly on the shaft, and it is not necessary to remove it without removing it. The main thing is to ensure that the gear of the vacuum cleaner engine and the brush gear is clean in the area of engagement, and the presence of debris there causes increased noise and wear.
| Component | Type of pollution | Cleaning method | Tool. |
|---|---|---|---|
| The shaft of the brushes | Hair coil, thread. | Tweezer cutting and removal | Scissors, tweezers |
| bearing | Fine dust, down. | Blowing and lubrication | Compressed air, butter |
| The gear drive. | Pushed mud | Mechanical cleaning | Toothbrush |
| Corps | Dust, wool. | Wipe down | Dry rags |
Once you've cleaned all the pieces, put the knot back together, but don't screw it to the end yet. Check the free rotation of the shaft. It should spin easily, with little resistance, but without jamming. If the shaft jams even without a vacuum cleaner, it means that the assembly is wrong or the bearing is damaged.
Lubrication and maintenance of mechanical parts
Dry friction is the enemy of any mechanism. Once cleaned, the bearing unit must be lubricated. Do not use regular machine oil or WD-40, as they are too liquid, dry quickly and can damage plastic parts. The optimal choice is silicone lubricant or special oil for bearings.
Apply one drop of lubricant to the bearing on either side. Scroll the shaft several times so that the lubricant is distributed inside. Be sure to remove the excess with a napkin so that it does not fly away inside the vacuum cleaner when working.