We’ve got a Phantom 3 Standard here, but you can also use this guide for a P3 Advanced or Pro, reviewed. The process it similar on the Phantom 2 as well. The part you need is DJI Phantom 3 Standard Camera Vibration Board – Part No.83, which costs around £7 and comes with replacement screws. If you have a P3 Advanced or Pro the part is No. 39 as it’s slightly different. You should find some spare anti-drop pins and rubber gimbal mounts in your Phantom box.
DJI Phantom 3: Fix a broken gimbal mounting plate
The first job is to clear a work area and get some tools: a small Philips screwdriver, a small flatblade and a 2mm Allen key. You’ll also need some wire cutters or strong scissors to cut through the anti-drop pins. Ideally you should use a plastic spudger to remove the antennae wires. but a fingernail or screwdriver will do. Remove the props and lay your Phantom upside down. Cut through the anti-drop pins as these cannot be removed and reused. You will damage the white rubber suspension pieces, but there should be spares in your original Phantom box.
DJI Phantom 3: Fix a broken gimbal mounting plate
Use a small flatblade to gently lever out the main ribbon cable connector. Don’t force it. It may have even become disconnected in the crash. If any wires popped out of the connector, it should be possible to push them back in. If they all came out, reinsert them in order (making sure the ribbon cable is flat) starting from the left-hand side of the connector when viewed from the front of the Phantom. On a P3 Standard, there will be two spare holes on the right-hand side. The remaining two wires are for the 5.8GHz video transmission system. Unscrew the two screws holding each of the plastic covers in place and keep them somewhere safe, as they’re easy to lose.
DJI Phantom 3: Fix a broken gimbal mounting plate
Take a photo for reference so you know which wire connects to which socket. Using a plastic spudger or a fingernail, carefully lift up each of the cables to disconnect it from its connector. Do not force these as you are liable to break the connector off the circuit board. Now the gimbal can be removed completely.
DJI Phantom 3: Fix a broken gimbal mounting plate
Unscrew the four Allen bolts and carefully feed the wires through the hole in the plate.
DJI Phantom 3: Fix a broken gimbal mounting plate
Before you screw on the new plate, fit the anti-shake rubber grommets to it. Slide one anti-drop pin into the top-left hole as it’s impossible to fit this on the P3 Standard once the mounting plate is screwed down.
DJI Phantom 3: Fix a broken gimbal mounting plate
Again, carefully feed the three wires through the hole in the mounting plate and screw in the four Allen bolts. It should look like this. Now you can carefully reconnect the wires to the gimbal and refit the two plastic covers.
DJI Phantom 3: Fix a broken gimbal mounting plate
With the repair complete, test out the gimbal and make sure your camera is working as expected. Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.
