How to remove the rear wheel on the Xiaomi scooter M365: nuanced

Rear wheel on electric scooter Xiaomi M365 — It's not just a chassis, it's a key assembly that's integrated with the motor and the braking system, and it may need to be dismantled to replace the tire, repair the engine, clean the brake pads, or eliminate the backlash. However, improperly removing the wheel often results in damage to the wiring, sensors breaking, or even a controller failing - errors that cost half the cost of a new scooter.

In this article, we will take a step-by-step look at the hidden latching points in the wheel axis that are not found in Xiaomi’s official documentation, as well as typical pitfalls, such as why the scooter may stop turning on after the wheel is removed (spoiler: this is related to the Hall connector), and how to avoid damaging the brake cable. If you’ve never repaired an electric vehicle, don’t worry: the manual is adapted for beginners, but with technical details for experienced users.

Preparation: security tools and measures

Before you start dismantling, make sure you have everything you need. Lacking at least one tool can turn a 20-minute procedure into hours of torture. For example, without a 5mm end key, you can't unscrew the brake disc mount, and without plastic blades, you can damage the rim when you remove the tire.

Here is a complete list of tools and materials:

• 🔧 End key or head at 5 mm (for wheel axis)
• 🔧 Hexagon by 2.5 mm (for brake caliper)
• 🔧 Cross screwdriver (for the engine cover)
• 🧴 Silicone lubricant or WD-40 (acid-axis)
• 🧤 Gloves (protection against dirt and sharp rim edges)
• 📸 Phone for photographing connectors (required!)

⚠️ Note: If the scooter was outside at a lower temperature -5°C, before dismantling, bring it into a warm room on 1–2 Plastic elements (e.g. motor cover) become brittle in the cold and may crack when force is applied.

Also prepare the working space:

• 🪑 Place the scooter on a flat surface, putting a book or board under the front wheel (to exclude rolling).
• 💡 Lighting should be bright – you will have to work with small connectors and screws.
• 🧲 Prepare a magnet or tray for fasteners: a lost screw inside the rim can damage the motor.

Step 1: Shutting off power and removing the rear wing

The first and most critical step is to completely de-energize the scooter, which many people skip because they think the scooter is safe, but even when it's off, the controller can put power on the motor when the contacts are closed, and the consequences range from a burnt fuse to a fire.

How to properly turn off power:

1. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to completely turn off the scooter.
2. Unplug the battery pack: unscrew the 4 screws on the bottom of the deck (under the rubber mat) and gently disconnect the battery connector from the controller. Photograph the location of the wires!
3. Additionally, if you are working with a wet scooter, dry the connectors with a hairdryer (cold air) to avoid corrosion.

So we can start removing the rear wing, and it's mounted on 3 latches and 2 screws.

• 🔧 Unscrew the screws with a cross screwdriver (they are hidden under stickers - gently put them under a knife).
• 🕳️ Click the plastic clamps starting at the top of the wing (there they are less rigid).
• 📎 Do not pull the wing by force - inside there is a brake cable that can be torn.

💡

If the latches do not respond, heat them with a hair dryer (temperature not higher than 60).°C) Plastic will become more elastic and the risk of breaking the fastener will decrease.

Step 2: Dismantling the braking system

Brake mechanism on Xiaomi M365 — This is a separate headache, and you have to take it off carefully so you don't bend the disc or stretch the cable:

Removal instructions:

1. 🔧 Hexagon 2.5 mm unscrew 2 screws, fixing the caliper to the fork.
2. 🧵 Carefully pull the caliper aside without disconnecting the cable completely. WD-40 anchorage.
3. 🔄 Check the condition of brake pads: if their thickness is less than 1.5 mm, replace them (otherwise, after assembly, the brakes will creak).

Now the brake disc. It's attached to the wheel with three screws under the end key for 5 mm:

• ⚠️ Don't try to spin the disk without locking the wheel. Use the second key or the vise.
• 🔄 Screws often boil - if not go, knock on the key with a hammer (not on the screw itself!).
• 📸 After removing the disc, take a picture of its position relative to the wheel (important for balancing when reassembling).

Step 3: Disconnecting the electrical connectors

The most important part is wiring, and mistakes are the most expensive. M365 3 key connectors are suitable for the rear wheel:

Procedure for disconnection:

1. Take a picture of each connector’s location (yes, that’s critical!).
2. Start with the Hall sensor: gently press the lock and pull the connector straight without pulling to the sides.
3. Disconnect the power to the motor. These wires are thicker -- pull with force, but without jerking.
4. The last one is the brake switch. The connector is fragile, so you'd better use tweezers.

⚠️ Warning: If the scooter doesn't turn on after assembly, 90% of the time it's the wrong Hall connector. Check its contacts with a multimeter (resistance between white and green wires should be 100-300 Ohms).

Step 4: Remove the wheels from the axle

Now that everything's off, you can take the wheel off, and the key is not to damage the bearings or lose the washers.

All brake disc screws unscrewed|

All electrical connectors disconnected|

The position of the disk relative to the wheel is photographed|

Prepared key for the 5 mm axle-->

Step-by-step:

1. 🔧 With the end key, 5 mm, unscrew the axis nut on the left side (counterclockwise!
2. 🪛 Remove the nut, puck and locking ring (it often sticks - put it with a screwdriver).
3. 🔄 Carefully pull the axle out of the fork. If it doesn't go, tap the key with a hammer (not on the axis!).
4. ☝️ Carefully examine the bearings: if they are lufting or creaking, they need to be replaced (article: 6004-2RS).

After the wheel is removed:

• 🧹 Clean the axis and inside of the fork from dirt (use alcohol and brush).
• 🔍 Check the integrity of the sealing rings on the axle – if they are torn, moisture will enter the engine.
• 📏 Measure the back lift of bearings: if it exceeds 0.5 mm, replacement is required.

💡

Never hit the hammer directly on the axle or bearings! the impact load will warp the clips and the wheel will vibrate at speed.

Step 5: Disassemble the wheel (if necessary)

If you need to get to the engine or replace the tire, the wheel will have to be disassembled. M365 it consists of:

• 🔄 Motor rim (integral construction).
• 🛞 Tires and cameras (in most cases).
• ⚙️ gears of the gearbox (if a scooter with a gear motor).

How to make out:

1. 🔧 Unscrew 3 screws on the engine cover (they are under the cross screwdriver, but often knitting - use a shock screwdriver).
2. 🕳️ You can put a plastic blade on the lid, and be careful, there are rotor magnets inside that can stick to the lid.
3. 🔄 If you need to remove the tire, use mounting blades. Start on the opposite side of the nipple.

⚠️ Warning: When disassembling the engine, don't touch the Hall sensors (the little black chips on the board). Static electricity can damage them. Before you work, touch the metal part of the scooter to take off the charge.

Typical problems in disassembly:

• 🔌 Hall sensor wires can stick to the body - carefully separate them with a wooden stick.
• 🧲 The rotor magnets are very strong. If you drop the lid, they can break off.
• 💧 There's a lot of condensation inside the engine, and if you see rust, dry the parts with a hair dryer and apply the silicone lubricant.

Reverse Assembly: How Not to Make Mistakes

Assembly is the reverse process, but with a number of nuances that are often overlooked.

Procedure:

1. 🔄 Set the wheel on the axle, making sure that the locking ring has fallen into place (it should click).
2. 🔧 Tighten the axis nut at a moment of 4-5 N·m (do not tug over!).
3. 🔌 Connect the connectors in the reverse order, start with the brake switch, then power the motor, and last of all, the Hall sensor.
4. 📸 Check the photos you took before the showdown.

Check before the first launch:

• 🔍 Make sure the brake disc is not rubbing against the caliper.
• 🎛️ Scroll the wheel manually - it should rotate smoothly, without jamming.
• 🔋 Connect the battery and check the voltage on the motor connector (should be 0 V when the scooter is off).

If, after assembly, the scooter:

• ❌ Not included. → Check the Hall connector and fuse on the controller.
• ❌ Twitches when driving. → Incorrectly connected sensor Hall or backlash in bearings.
• ❌ The brakes are not working. → Brake switch wires are tangled or the cable is stretched.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing the wheel