Xiaomi electric scooters are some of the most popular vehicles in the city, but even they require regular maintenance. Brakes play a key role here: not only is it safe to drive, but it's also safe to operate them, and if you notice that the scooter is getting worse at braking, creaking or free-running, you should start adjusting.
In this article, we will discuss how to adjust the brakes on Xiaomi M365, Pro, Pro 2 and 1S scooters. You will learn what tools you need, how to diagnose the problem and what nuances to consider when working with disc and electronic brakes. No complex manipulations - only proven methods that will save your time and money at the service center.
What brakes are installed on Xiaomi scooters and how they work
All Xiaomi models (except for the most budget options) are equipped with a combined braking system:
- 🔧 Disc mechanical brake, the main one, is on the rear wheel, and it works by friction of the pads against the brake disc when you press the lever.
- ⚡ Electronic brake (recovery) - auxiliary, activated when you release gas or lightly press the brake, converts kinetic energy into electrical energy, recharging the battery.
The mechanical brake requires periodic adjustment, as the cable stretches over time and the pads wear out. The electronic brake usually does not need to be adjusted, but its effectiveness depends on the health of the controller and battery.
The Xiaomi M365 and Pro models use a classic cable-driven disc brake, and the Pro 2 and 1S have added an E-ABS (Electronic Anti-Block Brake) system that smooths jerks when braking sharply.
Signs that the brakes need adjustment
Don’t wait until the brakes fail completely – there are a few clear signals that it’s time to intervene:
- 🚲 Increased free stroke of the lever - it fails more than 1-1.5 cm before the start of operation.
- 🔊 There was a creak or screech during braking - a sign of wear of the pads or getting dirt on the disk.
- 🛑 The scooter brakes jerks or unevenly - perhaps the pads are mounted curved or the disc is bent.
- 🔥 The braking distance has increased - if before the scooter stopped for 2-3 meters, and now "goes" further.
- 💧 On the pads or disk is visible oil film - this may be the result of lubrication from the chain.
If you ignore these symptoms, eventually the brakes may fail completely, and the pads or disc will have to be changed. For example, on scooters Xiaomi M365 and Pro, if the pads are critically worn, the brake lever may stop returning to its original position, which will make driving extremely dangerous.
⚠️ Attention: If the brakes continue to creak or drive after adjustment, check the disc for curvature. To do this, scroll the wheel and see if the disc touches the pads in one place more strongly than in another. If so, the disc is bent and requires replacement.
Preparation for adjustment: safety tools and measures
Before you start work, prepare everything you need:
| Tool/material | Appointment | The alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Key-hexagon 5 mm | Adjustment of cable tension | Screwdriver with six-sided tip |
| Flat screwdriver. | Fake protective covers, fixing the cable | Knife with a thin blade |
| End key 10 mm | Weakening of braking attachment | Divorce key |
| Lubrication for cable (e.g. WD-40) | Elimination of creaks and improvement of the cable | Silicone lubricant |
| Clean cloth and alcohol | Cleaning the disc and pads from dirt | Wet wipes without alcohol |
Also take care of safety:
- 🛡️ Work in gloves - brake pads can be sharp and the disc heats up when friction is applied.
- 🔌 Turn off the scooter from charging and remove the battery (if possible) to avoid short circuiting.
- 📏 Check the adjustment on a flat surface where the scooter will not leave during the test.
💡
If you have a Xiaomi Pro 2 or 1S scooter with an E-ABS system, turn it off in the Mi Home app settings before adjusting the mechanical brake. This will help avoid false alarms of the electronic brake during tests.
Step-by-step instructions: how to tighten the brake cable
The most common problem is a stretched cable, and you can fix this in 10-15 minutes:
- Find a adjusting screw. It's located on the brake mechanism (caliper) of the rear wheel. It's usually a 5 mm hexagon, closed with a rubber cap.
- Weaken the counternut. Use two keys: one hold the adjusting screw, the other unscrew the counternut (counterclockwise).
- Pull the cable. Turn the adjusting screw clockwise until the free stroke of the lever is reduced to 1-1.5 cm.
- Tighten the counternut. Hold the screw in the right position and tighten the counternut. Make sure the cable is not loose after the lock.
- Check the brakes. Scroll the wheel with your hand, it should rotate freely, but stop when you press the lever. If the wheel brakes without pressing, loosen the cable half-around.
Weakened the counternut |Tightened the cable to the point (without distortions) |Turned the free stroke of the lever (1-1.5 cm) |Tightened the counternut |Tested the brake on the move-->
If the cable continues to bite after the lift, or the lever's stroke remains too loose, the problem may be wear and tear on the cable or its shell, in which case a replacement will be required.
⚠️ Attention: Don't pull the cable! If the pads are constantly rubbed against the disc, it will cause them to wear faster and overheat the brake mechanism. 1/3 his turn.
Adjustment of brake pads
If the pads are crooked or unevenly attached to the disc, the brakes will creak or "lead" to the side, and you can fix this as follows:
- Reduce the caliper attachment. With a 10 mm end key, unscrew the two bolts that lock the brake mechanism to the frame.
- Line the pads relative to the disc. Press the brake lever so that the pads close on the disc. Make sure that the gap between the pads and the disc is the same on both sides (should be 0.2-0.3 mm).
- Tighten the mount bolts. Hold the brake lever in the position of pressure and lock the caliper, which ensures that the pads remain in the correct position.
- Check the centering of the disk. Scroll the wheel, the disc should not touch the pads. If this happens, the disk may be bent (requires editing or replacement).
On Xiaomi scooters, there is a common problem where one of the pads wears out faster than the other, because the caliper is not aligned correctly. If you notice uneven wear, repeat the adjustment, paying special attention to symmetry.
How do you check the wear of the pads?
Cleaning and lubrication of the brake mechanism
Dirt, dust and moisture shorten the life of the brakes, and to keep them in working condition, it is enough to carry out preventive cleaning once every 2-3 months:
- Remove the wheel. Unscrew the wheel mount nuts (you will need a 15 mm or 17 mm key, depending on the model).
- Clean the disc and the pads. Use alcohol and a clean cloth to remove dirt and oil traces. Don't use gasoline or solvents - they can damage rubber seals.
- If it is rusty or covered in dirt, clean it and apply a few drops of lubricant (such as WD-40) to the areas where the cable enters the shell.
- Grease the guide pads. Apply a thin layer of silicone lubricant to the metal parts of the caliper where the pads move. Don't lubricate the friction surfaces!
After cleaning, scroll the wheel, it should rotate without creaking or delays. If the sounds remain, check if the lubrication has hit the disc or pads (in which case, you need to wipe them with alcohol again).
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Brake cleaning is best done after rain or driving on mud. Wet environment accelerates corrosion of the cable and wear of the pads, so prevention every 500-1000 km of run will prolong the life of the braking system.
Frequent adjustment errors and how to avoid them
Even experienced scooter owners sometimes make mistakes that lead to breakdowns.
- ❌ Tug-and-tear cables, causing the pads to frictate against the disc, overheating and accelerated wear. Solution: After adjusting, check if the wheel is rotating freely.
- ❌ Ignoring the squeaks -- if the brakes are squealing, it's not always a sign of wear and tear, and most often, just cleaning the disc and pads from dirt. Solution: use alcohol and a soft brush.
- ❌ Lubrication of friction surfaces - pads and discs must remain dry. The ingestion of oil or lubrication will make the brakes ineffective. Solution: if lubrication hits the disc, clean it with acetone.
- ❌ Incorrectly centering the caliper - if the mechanism is mounted curved, one pad will wear off faster. Solution: when tightening the bolts, hold the brake lever in the pressed position.
Another common mistake is the use of non-original pads. Cheap analogues often have the wrong friction material composition, which leads to deterioration of braking or damage to the disc. For Xiaomi M365/Pro, the pads with the MD-002-001 article are suitable, for Pro 2/1S - MD-002-002.