Replacement of the front wheel Xiaomi M365: full instructions

The Xiaomi M365 electric scooters and their modifications have proven to be reliable urban vehicles, but heavy operation inevitably leads to wear and tear of the chassis. The front wheel takes the brunt of irregularities in asphalt, pits and curbs, which over time causes tread erasure, punctures or wear of bearings. Owners often have to face the need to replace the camera, tire or complete dismantling of the unit for prevention.

The process of removing the front wheel requires precision and understanding of the design of the fork, since inept actions can damage the brake cables or break the thread of the fasteners. Unlike rear-wheel drive, the front axle is not connected to electrical wires, which greatly simplifies the task, but requires attention to mechanical connections. The right approach to dismantling will not only replace the tire, but also lubricate the bearings, prolonging the life of the entire unit.

To do this, you'll need the minimum toolkit that any home craftsman would normally have, and you'll need to focus on fixing the fork and getting the bolts to unscrew properly, so you don't have to be skewed, and it's critical that you completely immobilize the scooter before you start, and keep the structure stable during the disassembly, and that ensures that all the parts are safe and secure.

Tools and workplace preparation required

The repair starts with proper preparation. The Xiaomi M365’s front wheel does not require expensive equipment, but the use of inappropriate tools can lead to the slithering of the bolt faces. The main tool will be a set of hexagonal keys, since most of the mounts in the scooter design are made for them.

It is also recommended to prepare a container for small parts, so that lost cogs do not roll under the furniture. The workplace should be well lit, and the surface should be clean and flat. If you plan to replace the tire, warm up the new rubber beforehand, since hard material is difficult to pull on the disk at low temperature.

  • 🛠️ Set of hexagonal keys (the main tool for bolts)
  • 🔧 Flat and cross screwdrivers (for working with clamps and small screws)
  • ✂️ Installation or plastic blades (for safe removal of the tire from the disc)
  • 🧤 Gloves (hand protection against dirt and sharp edges of metal)

It will not be superfluous to have at hand a lubricant for threaded joints, for example, WD-40 or analog, in case the bolts have not been unscrewed for a long time and have boiled. Processing the fasteners before the start of work will significantly facilitate the dismantling process and reduce the risk of damage to the metal.

Dismounting of brake mechanism and cable

The first step is to release the plug from the brake caliper, which is attached directly to the swivel fist. Xiaomi M365 models use a disc brake, and its caliper is fixed with two bolts. Before unscrewing them, you need to relax the tension of the cable to avoid a sharp jerk mechanism.

Find the cable to the brake handle on the steering wheel or directly at the caliper. Carefully unplug the tip of the cable from the groove of the lever. Then you can start to twist the bolts that hold the caliper on the fork. Use a hexagon of the appropriate size, usually 4 mm or 5 mm.

⚠️ Warning: Do not let the caliper fall on the brake disc after unscrewing the bolts. Hang it on a hook or put it on a clean surface so as not to damage the brake pads and not to stain them with oil.

After removing the caliper, inspect the brake disc for curvatures. If the disc is deformed, it can be gently aligned with special tools or replaced while the wheel is removed.

☑️ Preparation for the removal of the wheel

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Disconnection of the wheel from the scooter fork

The main mounting of the front wheel to the fork is through the central axis, which runs through the hub and is fixed by nuts on both sides. On Xiaomi scooters, the design involves the use of cone washers that ensure a tight fit and prevent backlash. To remove the wheel, you need to unscrew the nuts on the axles.

Often the nuts are tightened very tightly, and it takes a lot of effort to unscrew them. It's recommended that you use a long-knob collar or key to increase the lever. Hold the wheel with one hand so that it doesn't fall off after the fixation is loosened. Consistently loosen the nuts on both sides without twisting them all at once.

Once the nuts are loosened, carefully remove the axle. In some scooters, the axis can be part of the fork design, and then only the outer nuts are unscrewed, and it is important not to lose the washers and bushings that may be inside the hub.

  • 🔩 Use penetrating lubricant if the nuts do not unscrew
  • 👐 Support the wheel with your hand when the axle is removed
  • 👀 Keep an eye on the order of the washers and pads removed

Once the axle is removed, the wheel is removed from the fork, and you can now fully diagnose the bearings and the condition of the fork itself, and the absence of a wheel beat is the key to a comfortable and safe ride.

What do I do if the axle is rusty?
If the axis is corrosive and resistant, do not use excessive force to prevent the thread from being ripped off. Pour the connection with penetrating lubricant and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Knock the hammer on the axis end (through a wooden pad) with a slight blow so that the vibration helps the lubricant to penetrate the thread. Repeat the procedure if necessary. Replacing the tire and cameras with your hands The removed wheel makes it easy to replace the camera or tire, which is the most common cause of disassembly. First, you need to completely lower the air from the camera, then gradually twist the edge of the disk, or move it around the edge. After removing the old camera, examine the inner surface of the tire for foreign objects that could cause puncture. Installation of the new camera requires a light blown first, so that it takes a round shape and does not pinch during installation. Insert the nipple into the rim hole, spread the camera inside the tire, and pull the rubber sides onto the disc. The final step is to pump the wheel to the operating pressure. M365 Recommendation Wheel diameter 8.5 inches Standard tire pressure 50 psi (3.5 bar) Check with a pressure gauge Type of nipple AV (Automotive) Pumping-friendly Rubber Tire Material Change wear Bearing maintenance and lift elimination Wheel removal is the perfect moment to test bearings. In front fork Xiaomi M365 Two bearings are commonly used, which may wear out or lose lubrication over time. Signs of maintenance are extraneous rolling noise or a noticeable backlash of the wheels in the vertical plane. To replace bearings, you need to press the old ones and press the new ones. At home, this can be done neatly using a handpiece of the appropriate diameter. The main rule is that the force should be applied only to the outer edge of the bearing, but in no case to the inner or separator. After installing new bearings, be sure to check the freedom of rotation of the wheel. It should be easy and silent. If you do not change the bearings, but only conduct a high-quality prophylaximation. 🔄 Check the absence of cross backlash after assembly 💧 Use lithium-based lubricant for bearings 🔊 Listen to the sounds when the wheel is rotating. ⚠️ Warning: When pressing bearings, you should not hit the metal directly with a hammer. Use a wooden bar or soft embroidery to avoid deformation of the bearing rings, which will lead to its rapid failure. 📊 What most often fails in the front wheel?Camera tireBaringsBrake discKnot assembly and final setting The assembly process is done in reverse sequence. Set the wheel in the fork, insert the axle and earn the nuts. Tighten the nuts evenly, alternately twisting one side or the other, so that the wheel stands exactly in the center of the fork. Once the wheel is fixed, set the brake caliper in place. An important step is to center the caliper relative to the brake disc. Relax the caliper mount bolts, hold the brake handle to the end, and hold the handle tighten the bolts, which will ensure the pads are perfectly positioned, pump the camera to the required pressure and check the brakes. Do some test runs to make sure there's no wheelbeat or any extraneous noise, and if it's a success, the scooter is ready to go back in. 💡Good wheel axle tightening and proper alignment of the brake caliper are two of the main factors for safe riding after repair. Don't neglect to check these knots before your first departure. Regular chassis maintenance prolongs the life of the scooter and makes travel comfortable. Don't expect to wear out the parts completely, do a routine checkup. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) How often should you change the front tire on Xiaomi? M365? The service life of the tire depends on the style of driving and the quality of the roads. On average, during active operation, rubber is changed every time. 3000-5000 However, the focus should be on visual tread wear and cracking. Can you drive without a camera with only a tire? Technically, this is possible, but not recommended for standard tires. The tubeless installation requires special sealed tires and discs. On conventional rubber, the absence of a camera will lead to etching air through micropores and loose fit. What puffing moment is needed for the front wheel axis? Accurate data in Newton meters in official documentation is rare. You should tighten your arm with a medium-length key, so you don't have to push the bearings around, but you don't have to clamping them down to a tight rotation? The screeching can be caused by friction of brake pads against the disc (centering of the caliper is required) or lack of lubrication in the bearings. Also, the source of sound can be the rubbing of the tire against the elements of the fork when installed improperly.