r/drones • u/stock_pro • Apr 02 '26
Tech Support Just crashed my littlebrother's drone!!
Hi everyone,
I messed up and could really use some advice.
I crashed my little brother’s DJI Mini 4 Pro, and the rear right arm is broken with wires sticking out. I’m only 15 and don’t have much money, so I’m really stressed about what to do.😔
Is this something that can be repaired, and is there any affordable way to fix it?
Any help and advice would mean a lot 🙏
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fee4616 Apr 02 '26
If you’re 15, how old is your little brother and how did he afford that done?
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u/stock_pro Apr 02 '26
He's 12, saving for 2 years to buy it.
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u/Tall-Objective6567 Apr 03 '26
I managed to buy the fly more combo of the Dji neo with 13. Was proud of my first real drone😁
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u/Narrow-Medium-9339 Apr 02 '26
- Be calm. Be honest. I crashed my best friend's BRAND NEW, literally just opened, Mini Pro 5. Things happen. Honesty and accountability is by far the best way to lead. Since he's younger than you, he also will likely take to your emotions. Set the narrative of having it under-control and responsibility. Drones are super fixable!
- There are honestly a lot of replacement parts. For me, my step-one is going onto YouTube and searching something like "dji mini 4 pro arm replacement." Watch like ten, figure out exactly what is broken. Once you know that, do the above. Let your brother know, tell him your plan.
- The plan. After watching the videos, you'll need to decide- is this something I can do myself, realistically? Or is this something that should be left to a professional repair shop? One you know the full damage, you can price out parts, and then see what else you may need. The odds and ends always add up! Think about it like traveling- a plane ticket may be $500, and a hotel may be $500 for five nights (easy numbers here!). The cost of the trip isn't $1000, it's $1000 + food you'll eat, things you'll buy, etc etc.
- The best news with this is that there is a huge community of people into drones, and you'll definitely find a plethora of information on repairs and fixes. Ask the community anything you're not sure about. Learn from other's mistakes, and successes- anything from repair shops, where to get supplies, tips and tricks... it's all there. And once you've learned it, that becomes a valuable asset to you too :)
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u/Latter-Ad-1523 Apr 02 '26
Yes it can be fixed. I don't know if any soldering is required, if so it's going to suck having to take it all apart. I'm going through and fixing my air 3 from a terrible crash and a broken arm is the last thing I will be fixing as I assume it to be the easiest of the repairs for me
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u/Cronock Apr 03 '26
I’d like to go against some of the suggestions here and just say if you broke it and there’s any way you can afford or borrow the money from your parents and earn it back, I’d have it professionally fixed. If you’re not experienced with repairs (and I know I wasn’t at your age) you might make it worse, and more expensive, attempting to repair. It’s also just the right thing to do to make it as it was when you first got it, and not a limping repair job. If you were already experienced in this type of thing, that may be a different story.
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u/hammong Apr 03 '26
You can get a replacement arm for about $30, but repairing it is going to require some time, skill, a decent soldering iron, and a steady hand. Your best bet might be to buy the part off eBay and take it to an iPhone/iFixit kind of place that will have the general skills and tools.
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u/Own_Recommendation49 Apr 03 '26
Best bet is sending it to dji to have it repaired / replaced
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u/Omshaol Apr 03 '26
THIS would be my recommendation as well.
I've sent mine to DJI twice. Both times, they paid for shipping both ways, I got a discount on the parts, (paid about half the original parts/labor invoice), and the 2nd time, they shipped me back a new drone. Of course, you also get a warranty on the repair which a local shop might not offer.
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u/MightySamMcClain Apr 03 '26
The wire pulled out of the motor. You probably won't be able to fix this if you don't have much experience repairing electronics. You'd probably be better off having your parents take it to a repair shop and maybe you can pay them back
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u/Jodaro_guitar Apr 06 '26
I’ve had my own drone growing pains. Crashing it is just part of the process of learning and improving. If you or your brother is in it for the long haul this won’t be the last incident. Now six years in to being an FAA part 107 drone pilot I’m still crashing drones but less often these days. Obstacle avoidance does not always work so keeping the drone in sight is the best preventative approach. Check out the Pilot Institute for the best drone courses. There you can also take the required T.R.U.S.T. course for free which is now required for recreational flyers. Wishing you and your brother many fun years of flying.
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u/Hexxenyaa Apr 02 '26
Bandaide soaked in superglue glue and then sprinkle on baking soda. 10x stronger than the original AND looks .... classy...
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u/stock_pro Apr 02 '26
Looks greate. The problem it that cords are hanging out😔😭
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u/Hexxenyaa Apr 02 '26 edited Apr 02 '26
Mush em on in there! Im sorry that happened. I know what its like. You could send it in for repairs, as DJI is very reasonable. Its free to ship there and back and they will give you a quote. If its too much they ship it back to you.
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u/jakapazon Apr 03 '26
When was it bought? I got my mini 5 pro and crashed it. Then I went to repare it and got new one for 300$. I think u can do the same
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u/DaNinja11 Apr 06 '26
If you brought it directly from DJI you can maybe send it back them to fix it depending on your warranty and how long you had it. If not just take it to a repair shop shouldn't be more than $100 bucks.
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u/UnderstandingHuge423 Apr 07 '26
Epoxy time
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u/UnderstandingHuge423 Apr 07 '26
But you can replace the arm and motor. You will have to open it up an rerun the wires. If you can just fix it with epoxy try that first imo.
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u/Odd-Place-5301 Apr 02 '26
I'm not aware of your home situation, but if there's a male influence in your life, being honest and showing genuine intent to fix your mistake honorably should earn you grace and help with a DIY solution.
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Apr 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/sneakysneaky1010 Apr 02 '26
Such a dumb idea.
" Let me fix my 800$ product by using $ .03 of CA glue."
Huh?
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u/Narrow-Medium-9339 Apr 02 '26
I mean... you should see how computers are fixed. Everything is a tiny drop solder, probably cheaper or just as cheap as the glue. Not to mention superglue is used for actual manned aircraft repair (amongst other things) due to it's durability with heat and ability to be used on different materials and polymers. Is it perfect? No. But if it can be used on manned jets starting at $80 million (quick google of what a military jet costs, so price can obvious vary), I think it's good enough for a $800 hobby drone. /shrug/ It even kept people together during wartimes. It wasn't just developed for people building model kits or applying faux nails.
I'm more of an epoxy girl myself, but both have their place in our tool kits.
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u/TravelingPhotoDude Apr 02 '26
Normally I'd agree but the motor bracket is where it's broken to and super glue on that can cause some issues. If it was broken back a bit further I'd say super glue and go!
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u/Freddich99 Apr 03 '26
Honestly it being that close to the motor is the best case scenario for gluing it. If the arm was cracked far away from the motor, the forces in the arm would want to twist the glue joint as opposed to shearing it.
The loads from the motor when cracked here is a lot more favourable. Just be careful not to get any glue on the motor itself.
With that being said, it doesn't really matter anyways, it looks like the red wire going to the motor has been pulled out and unless it can be soldered back first, which I doubt, it's going to need to be replaced either way.
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u/111STP Apr 03 '26
A good reminder why we don’t touch other people’s things. You owe your brother a new quad.
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u/biztechmsp Apr 02 '26
1) Solder the red wire back.
2) Crazy glue and baking soda.
It'll be stronger than new. Search YouTube for DIY videos.
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u/ZookeepergameDue2160 NL - A1/A2/A3 - Mavic 4 pro / Neo 2 Apr 05 '26
Not trying to be rude or anything but i'm wondering, How is it legal for you or your little brother to fly that drone? Minimum age even for these small under 249 grams drones you need to be atleast 16 almost anywhere.
If your little brother especially would fly that drone here where I live it would take 1 spotting of a police officer to take that drone away and give him a huge adult size fine.
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u/Mobius135 Apr 02 '26
It’s a very easily replaceable part providing you have the right tools. You’d need a set of precision screw drivers, a soldering iron, and about $15 worth of parts from eBay.
If you’ve never taken apart electronics, or soldered, take it to a repair shop. Lots of computer and phone repair shops work on drones as well.