How to remove the wheel from the Xiaomi electric scooter: step-by-step instructions

Xiaomi electric vehicles have proven to be reliable, but even the highest quality components are subject to wear. The most common problem faced by owners of the M365, Pro, Pro 2 and 1S models is puncture of the tire or tread wear. At this point, the rider is faced with the question of dismantling the wheel to replace the camera or tire. Many beginners are afraid to start repairing themselves, fearing damage to complex electronics or disrupt the geometry of the frame.

In fact, the wheel removal procedure does not require specialized service equipment, if you know the right sequence of actions. The key is to understand the design of the particular unit: the front fork and the rear pendulum have fundamentally different mounting patterns. Mistakes in the disassembly stage can lead to damage to the speed sensor or the break of the phase wires of the motor-wheel. In this article, we will discuss the algorithm of actions for both cases in detail.

Before any manipulations, you need to provide yourself with a comfortable workspace, you will need enough light and a clean surface to avoid losing small fasteners. It is also important to consider that the weight of the scooter when disassembled can be significant, so make sure that the body is securely fixed during operation. Proper preparation of space and tools will save you up to 30% of the time spent on repairs.

⚠️ Warning: Before starting work, be sure to turn off the scooter and wait for the indicators to completely fade. Working with a high-voltage battery and a motor-wheel requires compliance with basic electrical safety measures.

Required tools and workplace preparation

The success of a wheel removal operation depends on the quality and availability of the right tool. A standard set of hexagons, complete with a scooter, will not be enough here. You will need a more serious arsenal, including specialized heads and gates. Using the wrong tool often leads to the "licking" of the sides of the bolts, which turns a simple repair into hours of torture with the drilling of the fastener.

Special attention should be paid to the end heads. For the Xiaomi M365 models and their modifications, the dimensions of 10 mm are critical, as well as special elongated heads for internal bolts. Standard short keys may simply not reach the bolt cap due to the design of the frame. Therefore, having a set of heads with a rattle or collar is a prerequisite.

• 🔧 A set of hexagonal keys (minimum 4, 5, 6, 8 mm) is the main tool for dismantling plastic and covers.
• ⚙️ End head 10 mm with extension - necessary for unscrewing axial bolts of the wheel.
• 🔩 Cross screwdriver PH2 — Removal of protective covers and speed sensor.
• 🧤 Installation blades for tires are indispensable when replacing tires, so as not to damage the camera.
• 🧴 Penetrating lubricant (WD-40 or analogues) - will help to deoxidize sour threaded connections.

Keep your safety in mind. When working with rubber and metal parts, you're at high risk of hand injuries. Using protective gloves will not only keep you from cutting the sharp edges of the disc, but also provide a better grip on slippery tools. If you're planning to change your camera, you'll also prepare talc to handle new rubber, which will significantly extend its life.

⚠️ Warning: Never use an impact screw to unscrew the wheel axle bolts. Excessive force can damage the thread in an aluminum fork or split the motor-wheel body.

Dismantling of the front wheel of the electric scooter

Removing the front wheel is a less time-consuming task than the rear, because it lacks a complex system for connecting the electric motor, but there are also nuances in this process, ignoring which can cause the fork to skew or damage the brake disc. The process begins with providing access to the axle fasteners.

The first thing you need to do is remove the plastic cover above the front fork, and it's attached to a number of screws that are easily twisted by a cross screwdriver, and underneath the plastic, you find axial bolt that holds the wheel, and in some versions of scooters, this bolt can be hidden under a decorative cap or have a specific hat shape.

Use a suitable sized end head to dismantle it. If the bolt fails, don't use excessive force immediately. Treat the thread with penetrating lubricant and leave it on. 10-15 This will allow the solution to penetrate the microscopic gaps between the thread turns and break down the oxides that often cause jamming.

Once the axial bolt is successfully twisted, the wheel does not always fall out on its own. Sometimes it can stick to the fork bearings, in which case you need to gently sway the wheel from side to side or lightly tap the axis (not on the rim!) with a wooden boulder. Sharp hits with metal objects on aluminum parts are prohibited, as this can lead to deformation of the bearing seats.

Removal of the rear motor-wheel: design features

The rear wheel in Xiaomi scooters is not just an inertial element, but a full-fledged electric motor, which has powerful magnets and a stator winding inside it, which is why the procedure for removing it requires increased caution. The main challenge is not the fastener itself, but the need to neatly disconnect the power wires and the Hall sensor.

The process starts in the same way as the front wheel, where you remove the protective casing above the pendulum, but you have to switch your attention to the cable channel, and the wires that go from the motor to the controller go inside the pendulum and out in the axis, and you have to access the connection connector before you pull the wheel.

This often requires removing the side cover of the scooter, or at least loosening it to be able to pull the wires aside. The power connector is usually hidden deep inside the frame. It needs to be carefully uncoupled. Don't pull the wires sharply, they can be pulled or tangled behind other structural elements.

Once the electric is turned off, you can start to mechanically dismantle the axial bolt of the rear wheel, which is often tightened with great force, because it has high acceleration and braking loads, which may require a longer lever, the main thing is to control the force, so as not to break the thread in the soft aluminum alloy of the pendulum.

⚠️ Attention: When pulling the motor wheel, watch the wires. They must not get stuck between the disk and the frame, otherwise the insulation will be damaged, which will lead to a short circuit on the next turn on.

Working with wiring and speed sensor

One of the most delicate operations is to maintain the contact group, and the speed sensor (Holl sensor) is located inside the motor wheel, and it transmits rotor position signals to the controller, and it wiring out through the hollow axis of the wheel, and when the wheel is removed, this wire remains hanging, and it is easily damaged or entangled.

If your goal is to replace the camera, then disconnecting the connector inside the frame is not always necessary, but it is extremely desirable for ease of work. This will allow you to completely remove the wheel and put it on the table without risking pulling the plume. The connectors in Xiaomi scooters usually have locking latches. Press them carefully, using a thin screwdriver or nail, so as not to break the plastic.

When you reverse assemble, it's critical to connect the contacts correctly. The color marking of the wires should be strictly the same. An error in connecting the phases can lead to motor jerks at start or complete failure of the controller. After the connection, it is recommended to isolate the joint with shrinkage or seal, even if the connectors are tightly seated in each other to exclude oxidation from moisture.

Also check the status of the wire itself coming out of the axle. Often, the insulation is rubbed at the exit of the metal sleeve. If you find damage, they must be repaired before the wheel is put in place, ignoring this moment can lead to a short circuit inside the axle, which can cause fire or system failure.

Camera replacement and tire maintenance

Once the wheel is successfully dismantled, it's the rubber phase, which is the most physically demanding process, and Xiaomi's scooters are high-pressure, hard-core tires, and you can't just remove the tire from the disc with your hands.

There are several proven ways to ease this problem, and the most common is to use a soap solution, and you can apply it on top of the tires on both sides, and it will reduce friction, and it will make it easier for the tire to slide around the rim, and then, using the mounting blades, you need to gradually squeeze the side of the tire outside the disk.

• 🧼 Lubricate with soapy solution of the side of the tire along the entire perimeter.
• 🔨 Carefully drive one side of the tire inside the rim using shoulder blades.
• 💨 Remove the old camera, having completely deflated the air.
• 🎈 Pump the new camera a little so it straightens, and insert the tires inside.
• 🔄 Tuck the sides of the tires into place, starting on the opposite side of the nipple.

When you install a new camera, it's important not to pinch it with the side of the tire. It's the most common cause of repeated punctures immediately after repair. Put the camera straightened, without creases. After installation, be sure to sprinkle the camera with talc. The talc absorbs excess moisture and prevents rubber from sticking to the inner surface of the tire, reducing friction when heated.

If you change the tire completely, make sure that the new rubber matches the original dimensions (usually 8.5 inches). Using non-original analogs can lead to a change in the diameter of the wheel, which will knock the calibration of the speedometer and the regenerative braking system.

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Heating with a hair dryer makes it much easier to install the hard rubber.Watten the tire with a construction hair dryer for 2-3 minutes before installation - it will become softer and more elastic, which will allow you to put it on the disk without using excessive force.

Comparison of procedures for different Xiaomi models

Xiaomi’s electric scooters have evolved from model to model, and while the principle of removing the wheel remains similar, there are important differences. Understanding these nuances will help avoid errors when repairing a particular modification of your device.

In the Pro series and later, manufacturers often make it harder to access internal components for moisture protection (IP54 and higher), which means more screws, additional seals and more complex cable paths, and it is recommended to take photos of each step when disassembling such models so that there are no questions when building the extra part.

Also worth noting is the difference in braking systems: older models use a mechanical disc brake, while newer versions can be equipped with a drum brake or an improved disc brake system with a different caliper geometry, which affects whether the brake mechanism should be removed completely or sufficiently pushed away.

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The main difficulty of repairing new Xiaomi models is the increased tightness of the body, which requires more careful preparation and accuracy when working with seals.

Assembly and performance check

Once you've replaced the camera or the tire, you have to put the wheel back in place, gently running the wires through the bushing if it's the rear wheel. Make sure the cable is not twisted and is free. Insert the axial bolt and start twisting it by hand to check if the thread fits correctly.

Tighten the bolt with a key, but not with fanaticism. Aluminum is a soft metal, and it's very easy to break the thread. After tightening, check the backlash of the wheel. It should rotate freely, without beating or foreign sounds. If the wheel is dangling, pull up the axle. If the rotation is tight, you may have pulled the bolt or installed the bearings incorrectly.

The final step is to get the electrics on and test the start. Turn the scooter on and lift it off the ground, gently press the gas. The wheel should start rotating evenly. Check the brake and the speed sensor (it should display the data on the screen). If all the systems are working properly, you can install protective covers and go on the road.