Robotic cleaners often require attention to the chassis, as wheels and brushes collect the bulk of dust and wool. Over time, debris is stuffed into the machinery, which blocks rotation, causes sensor errors or causes the device to to tow in place. Owners of Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum, Roborock S50 and Roborock S5 Max models often face the need for deep cleaning of wheel modules, which can not be done without partial disassembly of the body.
The procedure for dismantling wheel assemblies requires care, because the device is full of electronics and plumes. Wrong actions can lead to damage to the mounts or leakage. In this guide, we will discuss how to safely remove the wheels, whether to climb inside the gearbox at all, and what tools you will need to maintain your gadget.
Before you start to physically affect the body, you need to assess the degree of contamination. Often, external cleaning and compressed air purge solve the problem without opening. However, if you hear a grinding or a wheel rolling with effort, you will need more serious intervention.
Preparation for disassembly and necessary tools
To successfully dismantle the wheels, you'll need the minimum toolkit that any home craftsman has in his arsenal, a cross screwdriver, preferably with a magnetic tip, to keep the screws from dropping inside the body, and you'll need a plastic blade or a mediator to gently open the latches.
It is important to prepare the workplace: the table should be clean, well-lit and free of unnecessary objects. It is recommended to use containers for sorting screws, since the design of the robot uses screws of different lengths.
Remember to turn the device off completely before you start work, either flip the robot over and press the power button, or simply disconnect it from the dock and let the system process be completed. Working with the device on can short-circuit if the tools come into contact with the board accidentally.
- 🛠️ Cross screwdriver (Phillips size #0 or #1)
- 🔧 Plastic blade for opening the body
- 🧹 Cleaning brush and compressed air canister
- 🔦 Lighting lamp for internal cavities
Algorithm for removing the main wheel (motor-wheel)
Dismantling the main motorized wheel is a process that requires consistency, first turning the robot vacuum cleaner upwards and removing the main brush and side brush so that they do not interfere with access to the screws, then unscrewing the screws that hold the bottom cover or the wheel module itself, depending on the specific modification of your Xiaomi.
On most Mi Robot and Roborock models, the wheel module is mounted with two or three screws to the bottom frame, and once removed, the module will not fall out immediately, as it is connected with a plume to the motherboard. You can not sharply pull the knot - this is guaranteed to lead to a break in the contacts.
If you hold the module up carefully, you'll see the plug socket, which can be locked with a plastic lock, or just tightly inserted, fold the lock (if you have one), and smoothly pull the plume out, and now the wheel module is completely free, ready for further disassembly or cleaning.
☑️ Checklist before removing the wheel
When you reverse-mount, make sure the plume is plugged in and fixed. A loose contact often causes a "Wheel hung" error, which the app displays as code 4 or 5. Once assembled, be sure to manually test the wheel rotation - it should spin freely, but with a palpable magnetic resistance of the motor.
Disassembly of the wheel module and cleaning of the gearbox
Should you take apart the plastic wheel body itself? This is a question that often comes up with a lot of pollution. Inside the module is a gear gear gear gear, and if you get sticky dirt or wool, the wheel can start to creak or get stuck, and disassembly is possible, but requires jewelry precision.
The body of the module usually consists of two halves, fastened by screws or internal latches. In some models, the screws are hidden under decorative plugs or stickers. When opening, be prepared for the fact that inside there may be small springs or locks that are easy to lose.
⚠️ Warning: When disassembling the wheel module itself, you lose the warranty on the device. In addition, there is a risk of not assembling the gearbox back correctly, which will lead to a complete failure of the unit.
If you do decide to do an autopsy, clean all the parts thoroughly of the old lubricant and dirt. Use silicone lubricant or lithium-complex compounds designed for plastic for lubrication. Conventional machine oil can eat plastic gears, turning them into porridge.
Should we lubricate the wheels?
Dismantling of the front rotary wheel
The front wheel (castor) is simpler and doesn't have a motor, but it also requires attention, it's responsible for maneuverability and changing the trajectory of the robot, and removing this element doesn't usually require spinning the screws, because it's held on the latches.
To remove the rotary wheel, you have to press the body in the opposite direction of the latches, or to expose it with a plastic blade. In some models Xiaomi Mi Robot just pull the module down with effort. Be careful: inside there is a spring mechanism that can fire if you sharply pull the knot.
Once the module is removed, remove the wheel itself from the clip, which often sits on a metal axis and can be contaminated with hair that winds onto the axle, blocking rotation. Carefully clean the axle and the inside of the wheel, remove all the villi.
- 🌀 Remove the wheel from the axle for high-quality cleaning
- 🧶 Remove all wound hair from the axle and bearing
- 🔍 Check the integrity of the plastic clip for cracks
Typical malfunctions and diagnosis
Understanding the symptoms helps determine whether the wheels need to be removed or the problem lies deeper. Xiaomi's robot vacuum cleaners are equipped with an advanced self-diagnosis system that reports problems through voice notifications or an app.
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel doesn't turn, Wheel error | Wool on the axle, plume break | Remove the module, clean, check the contact |
| Screaming while moving | Injection of solid particles into the reducer | Disassemble the gearbox, clean, lubricate |
| The robot is spinning around. | One of the wheels is locked or towed. | Check the free running of both wheels |
| The wheel is wobbling. | Wear of the seat or axle failure | Replacement of the wheel module |
If the error persists after cleaning, the motor wheel itself may have failed, or the Hall sensor that tracks the speed of rotation, in which case simple cleaning will not help - you will need to replace the entire unit. New modules are available at service centers and parts stores.
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When buying new wheels, pay attention to the color and shape of the gear gear teeth. Different revisions of the Xiaomi Mi Robot used different models of motors that may not be mechanically compatible.
Assembly and performance check
The assembly process is reversed. The most important thing is to put the engine-wheel train in the right way, and it doesn't have to be twisted or pulled, or it can be pinned or broken when you put the top cover, and use tweezers to carefully stack the wires.
When twisting the screws, do not put too much effort. Plastic, especially after several cycles of heating and cooling, becomes brittle. The moment of tightening the screws of the mounting module of the wheel should not exceed 0.5 Nm, so as not to crack the landing pad.
Once fully assembled, flip the robot, turn it on, and start the test cleaning. Notice the nature of the movement: the robot must move straight, without being sideways, which could indicate different wheel speeds or sensor errors.
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Quality assembly is more important than speed, and one misplaced plume can disable the motherboard when it is first turned on.