How to Replace the Left and Right Hinge Swivel Assemblies on the Sony XM4 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones (DIY Repair Guide)

Are the left and right hinge swivels on your Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless Bluetooth headphones broken or loose? Do the earcups feel unstable, rotate unevenly, slide out of position, or show cracks around the hinge joint? If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, the hinge and swivel mechanism may be worn or damaged and due for replacement.

In this DIY repair guide, we show you how to replace the damaged left and right hinge-and-swivel assemblies on the Sony M4 wireless Bluetooth headphones using OEM spare parts. You will find all the tools needed for this repair, along with OEM replacement parts, below.

Want to get your headphones repaired by a professional? Send us your Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, and our repair ninjas will restore your device to peak working condition. Follow the link, select the issues you’re experiencing, click Continue, enter your email ID, and click Get My Estimate to view the repair cost instantly.

Video Tutorial

Here are the video tutorials for replacing the left and right hinge-and-swivel assemblies on the Sony XM4 Bluetooth headphones. The repair process is very similar for both sides. We will highlight the minor differences that you need to remember while repairing the headphones yourself.

• How to Replace the Left Hinge Swivel on Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones | Step-by-Step Repair Guide

• How to Replace the Right Swivel Hinge on Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones | Step-by-Step Repair Guide

Repair Difficulty

Moderate / Requires 60-90 minutes to complete.

This repair involves handling delicate internal components, including small screws of different sizes, ribbon cables, a battery, speaker drivers, power boards, and connector ports. You don’t need technical skills or prior experience to complete this repair. With the right tools, a bit of patience, and attention to detail, you can replace the left and right hinge-and-swivel assemblies on the Sony XM4 headphones yourself.

Replacement Parts You’ll Need

Restore the comfort, fitment, and functionality of your Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones with original replacement parts. Select the OEM spares from the drop-down menu below to bring your device back to peak working condition.

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Hinge Replacement Swivel (Left / Right) Fix Broken XM4

• Sony WH-1000 XM3 XM4 XM5 XM6 Headphones Repair Screwdriver + Pry Tool Repair - Kit

Get an OEM replacement swivel hinge assembly for your Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones today. Click the link to visit our store, then scroll down to the Customers Also Add section to purchase the original replacement part and the tools you’ll need for this repair at a discount.

Tools You’ll Need

Before starting the Sony XM4 hinge-and-swivel assembly replacement, gather the following tools. Using the correct instruments will help you complete the repair successfully. We used the following tools and recommend them for a safe, professional-quality DIY fix at home.

• 1.5mm Phillips Screwdriver
• 1.5mm Flat Screwdriver
• Strong Pry Tool
• Anti-static Heat-proof Rubber Work Mat

Don’t want to DIY? Let our certified techs handle the repair for you. Book your repair now.

Step-by-Step DIY Guide to Replacing the Swivel Hinge Assembly on the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones at Home

In this detailed DIY repair guide, we show you how to replace the worn-out hinge-and-swivel assembly on the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones. Follow each step carefully and use the accompanying images as a visual guide to complete the repair with confidence.

Step 1: Disassemble the Earcup

1.1. Remove the ear pad using a pry tool between the leather and plastic of the ear cup. It is held in place by some clips.

1.2. Lift the foam pad and set it to the side.

1.3. Remove these four silver Phillips head screws.

1.4. Using your small flathead screwdriver, lift the cap off the exterior of the ear cup by sliding the screwdriver into this small gap and lifting. Don't lift the cap off too far, as there is a ribbon cable attached to it.

These next few steps are for the right side; the left side instructions come after these and are labeled with "L".

R.1. After removing the touch panel, gently pull straight out on this white ribbon cable to release it from its connector. This white ribbon is for the touch controls.

R.2. Disconnect the black/red battery wires and their connector from the socket by gently pulling up and away from the circuit board.

R.3. Disconnect this small ribbon cable that is connected to the battery. Use your finger and a flathead to hook the lip that sticks out on each side of the plug, then lift it up.

R.4. Remove these two Phillips head screws that hold the power board in place.

R.5. Lift the power board and the main internal wire out of their spots, then remove the two Phillips screws that hold the swivel into the housing.

Follow These Steps for the Left side:

L.1. Remove these two Phillips head screws from the housing.

Step 2: Remove the Swivel

2.1. Disconnect the main wire clip. It will be in different places depending on which side you are working on, but it's the same clip-in socket. You can use your flathead and fingernail to slide it out of the socket.

2.2. Depending on the side of the housing you are working with, you will have loosened two Phillips screws on one side of the housing. Those screws held part of the swiveling mechanism in place. You should now be able to lift it out of the housing.

2.3. You can then push the other side of the mechanism out of its socket by pushing the side you just pulled out in the direction of the side that is still in place.

2.4. Set the ear cup aside. Remove this small plastic piece and slide it over the main internal wire carefully so as not to damage the small wires. You can leave the blue rubber gasket in place. Be careful not to damage it.

2.5. Use your small flat head screwdriver to lift the plastic cover on the backside of the swivel mechanism. You can start it with the screwdriver on both sides, then lift it carefully with your fingers using the flat head to help if it starts to get stuck.

Repair Note: The plastic part is very thin, so be careful not to break it by lifting too far too fast.

2.6. Lift the main internal wire out of the swivel, then remove the two silver Phillips head screws.

2.7. You can now slide the broken swivel off of the main wire. If you compare it with your new swivel you should be able to see how the lip is worn down or broken off on the old piece in comparison to the new one.

Step 3: Install the New Swivel

3.1. Slide the new swivel onto the main wire all the way up to the headband. Make sure that the flat side with two holes faces outward as shown below. (The parts are different for the left and right sides, so make sure you order the correct one for the side that is broken).

3.2. The metal locking pin for the hinge swivel has a notch on it that should always be facing to the right no matter which side you're installing the swivel on. Orient your headphones as shown below and make sure the notch is facing to the right.

3.3. Slide the horseshoe pin into the slot on the outside of the new hinge swivel and make sure that it goes all the way in until it's flush with the plastic.

3.4. Rotate the new swivel so that the flat side with the holes is facing down, then line it up with the swivel shell piece and install the two screws.

3.5. Test that the swivel functions properly and doesn't have any strange gaps or issues, then fasten the screws and reinstall the main wire.

Pro Tip: It's best to start where the wire is already bent from how it was installed previously, then work your way back up the wire from there.

3.6. Line up the top of the backside swivel cover with the swivel piece and snap it into place. You can then press the rest of the cover down using the adhesive that should still be on it. It should be sitting flush inside of the swivel piece.

3.7. Slide the blue rubber O-ring back onto the swivel piece, then install the small plastic piece over it. You want the side with the cutout to be facing towards the outside of the swivel piece so that it locks in around the swivel. (This image is of the left-hand side piece. The right piece will look different but follow the same principle)

3.8. Slide the side of the swivel that doesn't have the plastic piece into its socket, then set the side with the plastic piece into its spot. The screw holes should be facing up. You can then install the two screws that hold it in place.

Step 4: Reassemble the Earcup

4.1. Reconnect the main wire if you were working on the left side. If you are working on the right side, also line up the main wire in its spot and secure the power board down on top of it with its two Phillips screws, then reconnect the two battery cables into their sockets and the wide white ribbon cable for the touch controls.

4.2. Lay the exterior cap down onto the ear cup, making sure that there are no wires pinched under it and that it sits flat, then secure it in place with the four long silver screws.

4.3. Lay the foam and the ear pad onto the speaker cup, then press around the edge of the ear pad until you hear each pin clip into place.

You can tug around the ear pad after it's installed to make sure all of the clips are secure.

Congratulations! Your SonyWH-1000XM4 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are Ready to Use

You have successfully replaced the cracked or damaged swivel hinge assemblies on the Sony XM4 wireless Bluetooth headphones. Check the alignment, audio quality, touch response, and Bluetooth pairing to confirm the device is working properly.

If you found this guide helpful and would like to try your hand at DIY gadget repair, visit our store for essential tools and spare parts. You can also check out our at-home headphone repair guides for other popular brands, including Apple, Beats, Bose, and Sony.

Have questions or suggestions about this repair? Text a repair ninja or email us, and we’ll reply shortly.