Maintenance of smart equipment requires careful attention, especially when it comes to mechanical units that are subject to intense wear. The main working element of any autonomous cleaner is the main brush that collects garbage and animal hair. Over time, its axes are wound hair, which leads to jamming of the mechanism, the appearance of a characteristic cod or even engine failure, which is why owners of Xiaomi, Roborock and Viomi devices need to know how to properly dismantle and maintain this unit.
The removal and cleaning procedure does not require a complex tool, but ignoring safety rules can damage plastic mounts or break contacts. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions for various design solutions used by the manufacturer, you will learn to distinguish regular cleaning from deep prevention, which requires partial disassembly of the case.
Regular maintenance extends the life of the device several times, and if the robot starts to suck up dust or makes extraneous sounds when moving, the problem is 90% of the time it is the contamination of the brush assembly. Let's look at how to restore your gadget to its former power.
Determination of the main unit design type
Before you start dismantling, you need to understand what kind of cleaning modification you're dealing with. Xiaomi engineers use several types of mounting the main module, and the method of disassembling them varies significantly. Misuse of force where the rotary mechanism is supposed to be used is guaranteed to lead to failure.
There are two main types of designs: a removable brush module model and a model where the brush is built directly into the body or has hidden locks. In the first case, everything is solved by simply pressing the locks, in the second case, a more delicate approach is required, and users often confuse these systems, trying to tear off non-removable parts.
- 🔍 Models with removable block: typical for the Roborock series S5, S6, S7 Most of the first generation Mijia models.
- 🔧 Hidden mount models: found in compact versions such as Mijia 1C or some modifications of Viomi.
- ⚙️ Combined systems: where the side brush is removed separately, and the main requires spinning screws.
It's important to visually look at the bottom of the device, and if you see obvious plastic latches on the sides of the turbobrush, you're lucky you don't need to be disassembled deeply, and if the surface is smooth and the brush is covered with a grid or plastic grille without obvious levers, you'll have to look for hidden screws or use the lid-clicking method.
Workplace preparation and tools
Quality repairs or maintenance cannot be done on a weight or on a soft sofa. You will need a hard, flat surface with good lighting. Small details like screws or springs are easily lost in the carpet pile, which can turn a simple procedure into hours-long search.
You will need a minimum set of tools to work with, and in most cases, a small cross screwdriver (usually a PH1 or PH0) and a flat screwdriver or plastic blade to open the latches will be enough, and you will also need to prepare tweezers to remove hair from hard-to-reach places.
☑️ Preparation for robot maintenance
Be sure to turn off the device before work begins. Although most models have a power button, to ensure complete safety, it is recommended to flip the robot over and make sure it is not on charge. Some models may have contact groups that, if handled sloppyly, can shorten if the device is turned on.
⚠️ Warning: Never attempt to remove the brush while the robot is in a charging station or connected to the grid.This can cause a short circuit in the engine circuit.
Algorithm of removing brush on models with removable module
This is the most common scenario for flagship models, where the entire brush, engine and gearbox design is combined into a single unit that attaches to the vacuum cleaner body, and it takes no more than a minute if you know where to press.
Turn the robot upside down. Find the main brush module, which is an oblong piece in the center of the bottom, and there are two lockers on the sides of it (usually gray or orange), and simultaneously press both locks with your thumb and pull the module down. It should come out of the slots with a slight click.
Once you remove the module, you'll see the brush itself, and it's attached to the plastic casing, and you'll normally need to bend one or two latches at the end of the casing to remove it, and you'll pull the shaft of the brush out, and at this point you can see how much debris has accumulated on the bearings.
Nuances of gearbox design
Cleaning is done by removing the coiled hair and pile.Use a scissor or a special knife from the kit (if any) to cut the hair lump along the shaft, then remove it.Do not pull the hair sharply so as not to damage the bearings' boulders.
Disassembly of models with hidden mounting and screws
If you don't have any obvious levers on your device to remove the module, you can access the brush by removing the bottom cover or unscrewing the screws, which is typical of more budget or compact models where engineers have been trying to reduce the size.
Carefully inspect the perimeter of the bottom panel. The screws are often hidden under rubber plugs or serial number stickers. You need to gently tamper with a thin blade or needle. Once all the screws (usually 4 to 6 pieces) are unscrewed, the bottom panel will be removed, opening access to the insides.
Inside, you'll see the main brush shaft attached to the grooves of the body. Removing it may require removing an additional plastic frame or disconnecting the sensor plume (be careful with contact groups). Pull out the shaft, clean it, and assemble it in reverse order.
| Model of the device | Type of attachment | The necessary tool | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Vacuum Mop 2 | Removable module | No (hands) | Low. |
| Roborock S5 Max | Removable module | No (hands) | Low. |
| Mijia 1C (STYTJ01ZHM) | Screws + latches | Cross screwdriver | Medium |
| Viomi V2 / V3 | Hidden screws. | Screwdriver, spatula | Tall. |
When assembly, make sure that all screws are twisted evenly, and the tightening can lead to cracks in the plastic case, and under-twisting can lead to backlashes and vibrations when working.
Maintenance of side brushes and additional elements
The main turbobrush is not the only thing that needs attention. Side brushes (may be one or two) are also prone to wear and pollution, and are responsible for sweeping debris from angles and along walls under the main suction zone.
Removing the side brush is usually elementary. At the center of the attachment is a screw or plastic nut. Unscrew it counterclockwise (or press the lock in the center if the design is screwless) and remove the brush. Notice the condition of the gear teeth.
- 🧹 Check the length of the pile: if the brush becomes too short or the pile is broken, it must be replaced.
- 🌀 Clean the rotation axis: dust often accumulates under the brush, which can jam the rotational mechanism.
- 🔩 Watch out for fasteners: a lost screw can get inside the robot and cause serious breakdown of electronics.
Remember to wipe the very niche where the side brush is placed. It often forms a dense dust-bunny that interferes with normal rotation. Use a dry brush or compressed air to clean.
⚠️ Warning: When installing a side brush, make sure it is in place before the characteristic click. A loosely seated brush can pop off while working and be sucked into the robot.
Removing common errors and problems during removal
Even following the instructions, users may encounter difficulties, and the most common problem is that the brush doesn't come out or the module is stuck, and this is often because the hair is wound not only on the shaft, but also on the ends, breaking the structure.
If the module doesn't come out, don't use excessive force. Try spinning the brush in different directions to release the jammed hairs. Sometimes a drop of silicone lubricant on the ends of the shaft helps, but aggressive chemistry (WD-40) is absolutely forbidden - it will dissolve the plastic.
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Use a stationery knife to cut the hair on the shaft. Make a longitudinal incision along the entire length of the shaft, and the hair will come off in one piece like a stocking.
Another mistake is the loss of spring contacts. In some Xiaomi models, the current to the brush engine is transmitted through spring-loaded contacts. If you take the module off gently, they can pop out. If that happens, carefully return them to their place using tweezers.
Also, users often forget to check the condition of the bearings on the ends of the shaft. If they are tightly twisted or creaking, the brush is better replaced. A worn bearing puts stress on the engine, reducing its life.
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The main reason for the jamming is not the amount of debris, but the density of the debris. Hair compresses and blocks rotation, so it's important to keep the cleaning regular, not just the fact that it's done.