How to remove the rear wheel on the Xiaomi 1S electric scooter: instructions with nuances

Removing the rear wheel on the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 1S is a task that every owner sooner or later faces. Whether you plan to replace a punctured camera, install a tubeless tire or simply perform maintenance of the brake system, properly dismantling the wheel will save you from mounting failures, wire breaks and other troubles. Unlike the front wheel, the rear on the 1S is associated with the electric motor and brake mechanism, which requires special care.

In this article, we'll take the process through the steps, from tool preparation to final assembly, focusing on critical points that are often overlooked in standard instructions, such as why you can't just pull out the engine connector or avoid damaging the brake disc, and you'll find a tool compatibility table, a checklist to check before assembly, and answers to frequent questions like whether you can do without a special tape recorder.

If you’ve never disassembled an electric scooter before, don’t worry: the Xiaomi 1S design is designed so that even a beginner can cope with the task, provided that you follow a clear algorithm. The main thing is to take your time and memorize the sequence of actions (or take photos of the stages of disassembly), it will take no more than 20-30 minutes, and the savings at the service center will be 1,500-2,500 rubles.

Preparation: tools and conditions for work

Before you start dismantling, make sure you have everything you need, and not even one key can stall the process in the middle, and using the wrong tools can damage the threads or plastic parts, and here's a full list of what you'll need:

• 🔧 Set of hexagons (mandatory with a size of 5 mm – this is the standard for Xiaomi wheel bolts) 1S)

Also, prepare a workspace: a flat surface (better a table or workbench), a clean cloth for laying out parts and good lighting. If you work outside, avoid dusty or wet conditions - getting dirt into bearings or on brake pads will reduce their resource.

⚠️ Warning: Never place the scooter on its side so that the motor wheel is at the bottom, which can cause the grease from the motor gearbox to hit the windings, which will cause a short circuit the next time you turn on. Always hold the scooter upright or hang behind the wheel.

Step 1: Power outage and removal of protective elements

The first and most important step is to completely de-energize the scooter, and even if the battery is discharged, there may be a voltage in the circuits that could damage the controller if you accidentally circuit.

1. Turn off the scooter with the power button (hold 3 seconds until vibration).
2. Disconnect the battery: press the latch at the bottom of the deck and pull the battery up. If the latch is tight, don't put too much effort into it, you better put it in a plastic card.
3. Additionally: remove the negative terminal from the battery (if you plan to work with the wiring of the motor).

Now we can start removing the security elements. On the Xiaomi 1S, the rear wheel is covered with a plastic casing that attaches to 4 latches and 2 screws. Carefully tuck the latches with a flat-tipped screwdriver starting at the top. The screws are usually unscrewed with a PH2 cross screwdriver.

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If the latches broke during dismantling, do not try to glue them together - it is better to order a replacement on AliExpress (article) C2106000012). Cost of a set of 4 latches ~300 rubles.

Step 2: Release of brake mechanism and cable

The braking system on Xiaomi 1S is a mechanically driven disc, and you need to disconnect the brake cable and the pads before you remove the wheel.

• 🔄 Relax the adjustment screw on the brake handle (under the rubber cap) and it will reduce the tension of the cable.
• 🔗 Take the cable out of the guide on the fork. This may require pliers — gently squeeze the locking bracket.
• 🛑 Remove the brake pads: they are attached to two T25 bolts. Don't lose the spring-loaded locks!

If you notice that the brake disc is bent or has serrated, this is a signal to replace. It is dangerous to operate a scooter with a damaged disc - the braking distance increases by 2-3 times. Also check the thickness of the pads: if it is less than 1.5 mm, they should be replaced.

⚠️ Warning: Don't press the brake handle after the cable is disconnected! This can push the piston out of the caliper and you'll have to pump the brakes.

Step 3: Disconnect the motor connector and remove the asterisk

The Xiaomi 1S electric motor is connected to the controller via a 3-pin connector (white), which must be carefully uncoupled by pulling a plastic tongue. Don't pull the wires - this can tear the contacts from the board!

And then you have to take a star, which is a cassette, and it transfers torque from the motor to the wheel, and there's a lot of people who make the mistake of trying to hit it with a hammer.

1. Hold the wheel in the vise or squeeze between the knees (so that it does not scroll).
2. Use a bike cassette removable and a 14mm key to unscrew the counternut counterclockwise.
3. Take off the star and the puck. If it's boiling, sprinkle WD-40 and wait 5-10 minutes.

Inside, you'll see gear bearings and gears. Don't lose bearing balls, they're hard to find on the market separately! If you see traces of rust or backlash, that's an excuse to replace bearings (catalog number 6004-2RS).

Battery disconnected |All connectors photographed |Brake cable released |Star removed intact |Bearings not lost-->

Step 4: Dismount the wheel axis and remove from the fork

Now that all the interfering elements are removed, we can start removing the wheel itself, and the axis is fixed on one side by a 14 mm nut, and on the other by an eccentric clamp, and it's important to unscrew them gradually so that the axis doesn't skew.

Algorithm of action:

1. Relax the eccentric (turn the lever counterclockwise and unscrew the nut a few turns).
2. On the other hand, unscrew the nut by 14 mm, adhering to the hexagon axis of 5 mm.
3. Carefully remove the axle from the fork. If it doesn't lend itself, tap the hammer lightly through the wooden shed.
4. Take the wheel off with the motor. Be careful - the weight of the unit is about 3 kg!

At this point, you might have a problem: the axis scrolls along with the key, which means it's stuck to the bearings, so the solution is to pinch the axis in the vise through soft sponges (like those wrapped in a cloth) and try to unscrew the nut again.

Step 5: Disassemble the wheel (removal of the tire and camera)

If you want to replace a camera or a tire, you have to unwrap the tire after removing the wheel from the fork, and you need to have a mounting blade (2-3 pieces) or a special machine.

• 🚲 Release the air from the camera by completely pressing the nipple.
• 🔧 Put the edge of the tire with a spatula and wind it under the rim.
• 🔄 Repeat the operation from the opposite side, gradually pulling out the camera.
• 🔍 Examine the rim for the presence of burrs or rust - they can cause a new puncture.

When installing a new camera, be sure to use a rim tape (if it is torn or missing), this will protect the camera from puncture with spokes, and it is also recommended to apply a little talc to the camera before mounting, this will make it easier to install and prevent twisting.

Assembly: reverse order and critical moments

Wheel assembly is done in reverse order, but there are a few key nuances that are often overlooked:

1. Bearing lubrication: Before installing the axle, apply a thin layer of lithium lubricant to the bearings. Avoid grease hitting the brake disc!
2. Tighten the axis: Tighten the axis nut with a force of 40-50 N·m. The tightening will lead to difficult rotation, the short-tightness - to backlash.
3. Checking brakes: After assembly, press the brake handle several times to ensure that the pads take up the working position.
4. Test start: Connect the battery and check the engine at minimum speed.

Pay special attention to the motor connector, which should be tightly fixed before the click, and if the scooter does not travel or twitch after assembly, check the contacts with a multimeter in vertebrae mode.

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The most common mistake in assembly is to misplace the asterisk, if it is skewed by even 1 mm, it will cause accelerated wear on the circuit and motor. Always check the alignment of the asterisk and the axis of the wheel!

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing the rear wheel