How to remove the wheel from the scooter Xiaomi: tools, steps and nuances

Xiaomi electric scooters are some of the most popular vehicles in the city, but even they require periodic maintenance. One of the most common procedures is to remove the wheel, whether to replace a tire, repair a camera or fix a puncture. However, without knowledge of the design and the right sequence of actions, you can easily damage the bearings, rims or even the electronics of the scooter.

In this article, we will discuss how to safely remove the wheel on Xiaomi models. M365, Pro 2, 1S, Essential and others, including the necessary tools, step-by-step instructions and common errors, especially the front and rear wheels, which are different because of the engine in the rear, and if you've never done scooter repair, don't worry. With our instructions, the process will take no more than 20-30 minutes.

What tools will be needed to remove the wheel

Before you start, prepare everything you need, and without the right tools, you risk breaking the thread, damaging the bearings, or even breaking the axle.

• 🔧 Hexagonal key 5 mm (necessarily high-quality, so that the faces do not lick).
• 🔨 End key or head by 14 mm (for axle nuts).
• 🔧 A screwdriver with a flat sting (to remove the bearing covers).
• 🛠️ Hammer (rubber or metal) – may be needed to gently knock out the axis.
• 🧲 Magnet or tweezers (so as not to lose small parts, such as locking rings).
• 🧴 Lubrication for bearings (e.g. Liquid Moly or WD-40 Specialist).
• 🧤 Gloves – the wheel and axle are often dirty, besides this will protect the hands from sharp edges.

If you have a disc brake model (such as the Xiaomi Pro 2), prepare:

• 🔧 End key for 8 mm to remove the brake disc.
• 🧷 Plastic screeds - to fix the brake cable and not damage it.

Do not use movable keys or improvised means - they can damage nuts or bolt faces. WD-40 as a lubricant: it washes the factory lubricant from the bearings and over time leads to their wear and tear.

Scooter Preparation: What to Do Before Removing the Wheel

Before disassembling the scooter, follow several important steps:

1. Turn off the scooter and remove the battery (if possible). On models with a non-removable battery, it is enough to hold the power button for 5-10 seconds to completely turn off the power.
2. Put the scooter on a flat surface and fix it so it doesn't fall off during operation, and you can put a wooden block under the frame.
3. Clean the wheel and axle of dirt and sand. Use a brush or a wet cloth to prevent abrasive particles from entering the bearings.
4. Take a picture of the original position of all the parts, especially if you're taking the wheel off for the first time, and it'll help you put it back together.

If you take off the rear wheel, consider that it is connected to the motor. Don't pull the wires or pull the wheel sharply, it can damage the contacts or connectors. M365 Pro 2 motor cable is fixed with a plastic clip - it must be carefully disconnected.

⚠️ Warning: If the scooter has recently driven, let the wheel cool for 10-15 minutes. Heated rubber can deform when removed, and bearings can "bit" when disassembled.

Step-by-step: how to remove the front wheel

The front wheel on Xiaomi scooters is easier to remove than the rear wheel, since it is not connected to electricity.

1. Remove the bearing cover: On one side of the axis, you'll see a plastic or metal cover, put a flat sting screwdriver on it, and take it off. Be careful, there's a locking ring under the lid that's easy to lose.
2. Remove the lock ring: Use a thin screwdriver or a special removable to gently tuck in and remove the ring. Don't bend it too much, it can weaken the spring mechanism.
3. Unscrew the axis nut: On the other side of the axis is a 14mm nut. Hold the axis with a hexagon 5mm (so it doesn't scroll) and unscrew the nut with the end key. Turn counterclockwise.

Remove the wheel from the axle

• Once the nut is unscrewed, the wheel should easily jump off the axle. If it is sour, gently tap the axis with a rubber hammer or through a wooden pad.

If the wheel doesn't come off even after the nut is unscrewed, don't hit it directly, and it's probably the corrosion of the axle or the warping of the bearings.

• Apply penetrating lubricant on the axle (for example, PB Blaster).
• Wait 10-15 minutes and try again.
• If it doesn’t help, use the bearing removable or contact the service.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 1S) There might be a counternut under the axis nut. If you don't notice it and start spinning the main nut, the axis will start to scroll, but not unscrew. Always check for the second nut!

Features of the rear wheel removal (with motor)

The rear wheel on Xiaomi scooters is complicated by the presence of an electric motor, so the process requires more accuracy.

• 🔌 Motor cable that must be disconnected before removal.
• 🔧 Additional nuts for fastening the motor (on some models).
• ⚡ Risk of damage to the controller in the careless handling of wires.

Instructions for removing the rear wheel:

1. Disconnect the motor cable: Press the plastic clip (usually black) and gently pull the connector out of the socket on the frame. Don't pull the wires!
2. Remove the brake disc (if any): On models with disc brake (Pro 2, 1S) unscrew two bolts of the brake disc with a key of 8 mm.
3. Unscrew the axle nut: Similar to the front wheel, but be careful - the rear wheel axle is often longer and may have additional mounts.

Remove the motor wheel

• Once the nut is unscrewed, the wheel may sit tight because of the motor magnets. Carefully swing it from side to side until it bounces off.

If the wheel is not removed, do not apply excessive force - you can damage the winding of the motor or bearings.

• Check if you have unscrewed all the nuts (sometimes there is a hidden counternut on the side of the motor).
• Use the camera or contact the service.

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If you notice rust on the axle after removing the wheel, be sure to clean it with a metal brush and apply corrosion-resistant lubrication, which will prolong the life of the bearings and facilitate the next disassembly.

How to remove the tire and camera from the wheel

If you need to replace your camera or tire, follow the following steps after removing the wheel:

1. Lower the air from the camera: Press the nipple (it can be of car or bicycle type) and blow the air completely.
2. Tap the edge of the tire: Use plastic mounting blades (not a screwdriver to avoid damaging the rim!). Start on the side opposite the nipple.
3. Remove the camera: After one edge of the tire is removed, carefully pull out the camera. Examine it for punctures or cracks.

Remove the tire completely.

• If you need to replace the tire itself, remove it from the rim, starting on the opposite side of the nipple.

When installing a new camera or tire:

• 🔹 Start putting on the tyre on the side opposite to the nipple.
• 🔹 Do not twist the camera - the nipple must be strictly perpendicular to the edge.
• 🔹 Pump the wheel gradually, making sure the camera doesn't overspin.

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi scooters use tubeless tires (on some models). If your tire is tubeless, you will need a special tool to remove it, the "scapula" for the boarding. Don't try to remove it with a screwdriver - you will damage the sealed layer.

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When working with the camera, always check the rim for burrs or rust. even a small scratch can puncture a new camera when pumped.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when removing the wheel, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔧 Slide of the edges on the axis nut: Reason: use of a poor-quality key or excessive effort. Solution: use the end key with an extension to evenly distribute the force.
• ⚡ Motor cable damage: Cause: sudden pulling of the wires. Solution: always unplug the connector, not pull the cable.
• 🔄 Loss of a locking ring or bearing: Reason: no magnet or tweezers. Solution: work on a clean surface and use a magnet for small parts.
• 🔥 Overheating of bearings during installation: Cause: pressing bearings with a hammer. Solution: use a special detacher or carefully plant the bearing through the mandrel.

Another common problem is the wrong assembly, for example, if you mix the sides of the bearings or forget to install the locking ring, the wheel will slug or wear out quickly. Always check the photos taken before disassembly.

If the wheel creaks or rotates with force after assembly, the probable reasons are:

• 🔹 The axis nut is pulled (relax it on the axis). 1/4 turnover).
• 🔹 The bearing is damaged (check its backlash and noise when rotating).
• 🔹 There is a stain between the sleeve and the sleeve).

When to contact the service: signs of serious problems

Not all breakdowns can be repaired by yourself. Contact the service center if:

• 🔌 The motor does not work after the wheel is assembled (maybe the cable or controller is damaged).
• 🔊 You can hear a grinding or knocking when the wheel is rotating (the bearing or axle may be damaged).
• 🔥 The axle or nut is deformed (replacement of parts is required).
• ⚡ The scooter is not turned on after assembly (possibly a short circuit in the engine).

It is also worth contacting specialists if you are not sure of your skills, for example, replacing bearings requires a special tool (remover and press), and improper installation can lead to jamming of the wheel on the go, which is dangerous.

The cost of repair in the service depends on the problem:

If the scooter begins to behave unstable after self-repair (for example, twitches when accelerating or slows down with jerks), immediately stop operation and check the correct assembly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing the wheel on Xiaomi