Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners are reliable cleaning assistants, but even they require periodic maintenance, and one of the most common procedures is to clean or replace wheels that eventually become clogged with hair, thread and dust, lose traction or start creaking. If you notice that your Mi Robot Vacuum, Viomi V3 or dreame D9 It's getting worse, it's going crooked, it's making extraneous noises, it's time to get on the wheels.
In this article, we will detail how to carefully remove the wheels from the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner without risking damage to plastic latches or mechanisms. You will learn what tools you will need, how to avoid typical errors (for example, damage to the chassis sensor during careless dismantling), and get tips for further care.
Before you start, make sure that the problem is with the wheels, not the engine or the electronic components. If the robot is not driving at all, check the battery power and the condition of the brushes. If it is moving in jerks or moving aside, the wheels or their drive are most likely to be to blame.
Preparation for dismantling: tools and security measures
To get the wheels off a Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner, you don't need a professional tool, but some tools will make it a lot easier.
- ✅ Plastic blade or mediator - for careful grazing of latches (metal screwdrivers can scratch the body).
- ✅ Cross screwdriver (usually) PH0 or PH1) — for spinning screws on some models.
- ✅ Tweezers – help to remove small details or hair from the mechanism.
- ✅ Napkins and alcohol - for cleaning axles and contacts.
- ✅ Hair dryer (optional) - if the wheel is "stuck" from dirt.
It's important to work on a clean, flat surface so you don't lose any small detail, so you can make the table light, so you can see the screws or the springs that are falling out, and if you're taking the wheels off for the first time, take a picture of each step of the disassembly, and that's going to help you put everything back together.
⚠️ Attention: Don't use excessive force when removing wheels! On Xiaomi Mi Robot and Viomi, plastic latches break easily if they're not properly tampered with. If the wheel doesn't lend itself, check if the screw or lock is undetected.
Also note that on some robots (e.g. Dreame) D9) And the wheels are not only attached to the latches, but also to metal axles with springs, and you can't pull them out abruptly, and that can deform the mechanism. If you're not sure about your abilities, practice on one wheel before you take the other wheel apart.
Design of wheels on Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners: what is inside?
Before you take the wheels off, it’s helpful to understand how they work. In most Xiaomi models, the wheel consists of several key elements:
- The external tread is a rubber or plastic part that comes into contact with the floor, and it wears off or cracks over time.
- The plastic disc is the base of the wheel attached to the axle, and it often breaks when it is not neatly dismantled.
- The bearing axis is the one that rotates, can get clogged with dust or rust.
- Hall's sensor (on some models) is responsible for controlling the speed of rotation, and damage to the sensor will lead to navigation errors.
- Spring mechanism (on Dreame) – creates tension for better grip.
For example, in Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 wheels are mounted on two latches and one screw, and in Viomi V3 — It's only on the latches, but with the extra axis fixation. D9 The design is more complicated: there is an adjustable spring that cannot be lost during disassembly.
| Model robot. | Type of wheel attachment | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Robot 1S/2 | Latches + 1 screw | Easy to remove, but the screw often "fits" |
| Viomi V2/V3 | Just the latches. | Fragile plastic fixers |
| Dreame D9/D10 | Latches + spring-axle | Care is required when removing the spring |
| Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P | Latches + hall-sensor | Risk of sensor damage during disassembly |
If your model is not listed in the table, look at the shape of the wheel: if it is solid (without visible screws), it is only attached to the latches. If there are small holes under the screwdriver on the rim, there are probably screws hidden there.
What happens if you take off the wheel incorrectly?
Step-by-step: how to remove the wheel from Xiaomi Mi Robot and Viomi
Consider the universal algorithm for most Xiaomi and Viomi models. If you have a Dreame, skip this section and read the next one — there's a separate instruction.
Turn off the robot and turn it upside down.|
Make sure the battery is not discharged (some models block disassembly)|
Prepare tools: plastic spatula, screwdriver, tweezers|
Take a picture of the original position of the wheel and mounts-->
Step 1: Turn off the power and turn the robot over.
Turn off the vacuum cleaner with a button on the body or remove the battery (if possible without disassembling). Turn the robot upside down and put it on a soft surface so as not to scratch the display or sensors.
Step 2. Find the wheel locks.
On most Xiaomi Mi Robot and Viomi models, the wheel is mounted on two plastic latches (front and rear) and one screw (hidden under a plug). The stub can be tucked with a nail or a plastic spatula. The screw usually has a cross head. PH0.
Step 3: Unscrew the screw (if any).
Carefully unscrew the screw and put it aside. Don't lose it! on some models (e.g. Viomi) V3) No screw - the wheel is only held on the latches.
Step 4. Release the latches.
Put a plastic blade in the gap between the wheel and the body of the robot. Press carefully to snap the front lock. Then repeat the same thing from the back. Don't pull the wheel on you - both latches must move first!
Step 5. Remove the wheel.
Once the latches are free, pull the wheel upwards and a little on yourself. If it doesn't respond, check if the second screw or lock is undetected. On models with a Hall sensor (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P) make sure that the wiring is not damaged!
⚠️ Warning: If the wheel is "stuck" from dirt, do not pull it by force! pour the axle with alcohol solution or carefully heat the hair dryer (not higher than 60).°C) to dissolve the contamination.
💡
If the latch breaks during dismantling, don't panic! The wheel can be temporarily fixed with superglue (but this is a short-lived solution), and you'd better order a new latch - they are sold at service centers or on AliExpress according to the model article.
Features of removing wheels on Dreame D9, D10 and other spring-powered models
Dreame Robot Vacuum Cleaners (for example, D9, D10, F9) They have a more complex design of wheels, and besides the latches, there's a spring mechanism that creates tension to better grip the floor, so if you take that wheel off the wrong way, the spring can fly out and get lost, and without it, the robot will slip through.
Step 1. Turn the robot over and find the spring.
In the Dreame models, the spring is located on the inside of the wheel, and to reach it, you first have to remove the plastic cover that covers the mechanism, and it is attached to 2-3 latches.
Step 2. Take the lid off carefully.
Put a plastic lid on the side (where there are no wires!) and don't pull it too hard, because there may be thin sensor contacts inside. D9 the cover sometimes "sticks" to the body due to dust - in this case, alcohol or hair dryer will help.
Step 3. Lock the spring.
Before you remove the wheel, press the spring with tweezers or fingers so it doesn't pop out. D10 The spring is more powerful, it's better to hold it with a screwdriver. If the spring does fly out, don't panic: you can put it back in, but it requires skill.
Step 4. Remove the wheel from the axle.
Once the spring is fixed, pull the wheel up and slightly to the side, it should come off the axle without effort, and if the wheel is jammed, check if it is disturbed by dirt or deformed plastic.
Step 5: Clean and lubricate the mechanism.
After removing the wheel, examine the axle and spring. If they are contaminated, wipe them with alcohol. WD-40 — It's aggressive to plastic.
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On Dreame models, the key is not to lose the spring! Without it, the wheel will dangle and the robot will lose control. If the spring is deformed, replace it with a new one (the article can be found in the user manual).
Replacement and Replacement of Wheels: What to Do After Removal?
When the wheel is finally removed, it needs to be cleaned of dirt and evaluated.
- 🧹 Remove hair and thread. Use tweezers or toothpicks to pull the coiled hair out of the axis and tread. Don't pull it out so you can tear the rubber.
- 🧼 Wash the wheel. You can use warm water with soap, but don't soak it for long, because the plastic can deform. After washing, dry the wheel with a hair dryer.
- 🔍 Check the tread. If the tire is worn or cracked, it's time to change the wheel. New wheels for Xiaomi cost 500-1,500 rubles depending on the model.
- 🛠️ Lubricate the axis. Apply some silicone lubrication to the metal axis, but avoid hitting plastic or rubber.
- 🔄 Check the bearing. If the wheel is hard to rotate, it may have worn out the bearing. It can be replaced separately (on AliExpress, they sell remixes).
If you notice that the plastic wheel disc has cracked, it must be replaced. You can't ride a damaged wheel, it will cause vibrations and engine failure. 1S»).
Also, pay attention to the status of the sensor contacts (if you have one in your model), oxidized or contaminated contacts can cause navigation errors, clean them with alcohol and cotton swab.
If the wheel is cleaned and greased, it doesn’t matter:
- slips on smooth surfaces (linoleum, tiles),
- makes a creak or a knock when rotating,
- has cracks in the tread or disc,
It needs to be replaced, and it also requires wheels that have worn the rubber to a plastic base.—>
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when removing wheels from Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaners, and here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic latch breaks | Wheel dangling or falling off | Use a plastic spatula, do not use force. |
| Loss of spring (on Dreame) | The wheel is not fixed, the robot is running crooked | Hold the spring when removing the wheel |
| Hall sensor damage. | Wheel Error Error, the robot doesn't go | Carefully disconnect the connectors, do not pull the wires. |
| Use of WD-40 for lubrication | Eating plastic, thickening lubrication | Use only silicone lubricant |
| Incorrect installation of the wheel back | Robots zigzag or don’t move | Follow the photos taken before the showdown |
Another common mistake is to incompletely clean the axle, so if there is dirt on the metal axis, the wheel will be hard to spin, and the robot will start to "jump" as it moves, and to avoid this, after removing the wheel, thoroughly wipe the axis with alcohol and check it for smooth rotation (scroll your finger).
If you accidentally tore the sensor wire, don't try to glue it together! This can lead to a short circuit. You'd better order a new sensor or go to the service center.
How to install the wheel back: a step-by-step algorithm
Building a robot vacuum cleaner after cleaning or replacing the wheels is as important as disassembling it. If you don't install the wheel correctly, the robot will run crooked or refuse to move at all.
Step 1. Check the integrity of the details.
Make sure all latches, screws and springs (on Dreame) are in place. If something breaks, replace the part before assembly.
Step 2. Put the wheel on the axle.
Carefully place the wheel on the metal axis, making sure it sits evenly. On models with a Hall sensor, make sure that the connector does not twist.
Step 3. Lock the latches.
Press the wheel on top to make the latches stand in place. You should hear the characteristic click. If the latches don't lock, check if it's getting mud or deformed plastic.
Step 4: Twistle the screw (if any).
If your model has a fastener, spin it without excessive effort, otherwise you can tear the thread. Enough that the screw tightly presses the wheel, but does not press it.
Step 5. Check the work.
Turn the robot over, turn it on, and start the test cleaning.
- Does the robot go straight?
- Are there any extraneous sounds (squeaking, knocking)?
- Are the sensors working correctly (is the Wheel Error bug burning)?
If everything is fine, congratulations, you have succeeded!
⚠️ Attention: After the wheels are replaced, the robot may need to calibrate the sensors, run it on a flat surface and allow it to travel 1-2 meters forward and back. On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro), the calibration is automatic.