I repair Sony headphones for a living, so you might expect me to tell you not to try this yourself. I won't. Replacing a broken WH-1000XM4 swivel is a job a careful, handy person can do at home. But it's fiddlier than most videos make it look, and it's easy to turn a broken hinge into a dead ear cup.
Here's an honest look at what's involved, so you can decide.
What you're replacing
The XM4's weak point is the swivel: the plastic part at the bottom of each headband slider that holds the ear cup and lets it turn and fold. A small U-shaped metal clip locks it into the hinge. When the plastic cracks, the ear cup flops about or hangs by its cable. See Sony XM4 hinge snapped for the full picture.
What you'll need
- A replacement swivel for the correct side and colour. Most sold online are aftermarket copies. Genuine Sony swivels are harder to find, usually reclaimed from other headphones. Check it's for the WH-1000XM4: the XM3 and XM5 parts are different.
- A precision Phillips screwdriver. The hinge screws are tiny (iFixit's guide specifies a #000).
- A plastic spudger or opening tool, to open the ear cup without scratching it.
- Good light, a tray for screws, and patience.
What the job involves
iFixit has a full step-by-step guide with photos for the XM4 swivel, which I'd recommend following. In outline:
- Remove the ear pad to get at the ear cup screws.
- Open the ear cup carefully. There are cables and connectors just inside.
- Get to the hinge screws. On the right side, the main board has to be moved aside to reach them. This is where most DIY repairs go wrong.
- Remove the hinge screws and lift the broken swivel out.
- Separate the swivel from the cable that runs through it, without pulling or kinking the cable.
- Fit the new swivel with its metal clip, route the cable exactly as it was, and refit the screws.
- Reassemble without pinching any cables, then test everything.
The risks
- The cable through the hinge. It's thin, and it may already be damaged from the broken swivel. Pull it, pinch it or kink it, and you'll lose sound on one side.
- The connectors and the board on the right side. Moving the board puts strain on small connectors and flex cables, and they're easy to damage.
- Tiny screws. They strip, and they disappear.
- Cosmetic damage. Prying the ear cup can mark it.
- The wrong part. Left and right swivels differ, and so does fit quality between aftermarket parts.
When to stop and get it repaired
Stop if:
- the cable through the hinge is already frayed, cut or kinked
- the headphones have no sound on that side even before you start
- a connector or flex cable comes loose and won't seat again
- you've opened it and it doesn't look like the guide
At that point the job has become more than a swivel swap, and it's worth getting it repaired properly rather than making it worse.
DIY or repair: the honest comparison
DIY makes sense if you've repaired small electronics before, you have the tools, the cable isn't damaged, and you're comfortable with the risk.
A repair makes sense if you'd rather not risk it, the cable is already damaged, you want a genuine Sony part, or you want it tested properly and covered by a warranty. My Sony headphones hinge repair uses genuine Sony swivels where available, reclaimed and inspected, and includes a full bench test and a 12-month warranty.
If you start the job yourself and decide to stop, you can still send them in. Put all the parts and screws in a bag, and tell me what you've done when you book.
Questions people ask
Is it hard to replace an XM4 swivel?
It's fiddly rather than hard. The tricky part is moving the board on the right side and keeping the cable through the hinge undamaged.
Where can I buy an XM4 swivel?
They're sold online, mostly as aftermarket copies. Genuine Sony swivels are usually reclaimed from other headphones. Make sure it's the right side and colour, and for the WH-1000XM4.
Will a DIY repair affect my warranty?
Yes, it can. If your headphones are still under warranty, or you're thinking of a consumer-rights claim, don't open them first. See Sony hinge broken: warranty and your consumer rights.
My recommendation
If you're handy, the cable is intact and you're happy with the risk, follow iFixit's guide carefully and take your time. If not, or if the cable is already damaged, get it repaired with a genuine part and a warranty.