Nikon lens mount repair

Several of the cheaper "kit" lenses offered by Nikon have plastic mounts.  While these lenses have great optical quality, a number of us have managed to break of one of more of the platic mounting tabs.  I recently  replaced the mount after I managed to break off one of these tabs (I was clumsy and dropped my D40x about 6 inches, onto a carpeted surface).  The cost of replacement part was around 17 dollars, including shipping.  A new lens would have been over 100 dollars.  The actual lens that was repaired is the 18-55mm G series zoom.  I also have a 55-200mm zoom, and it has the same plastic mount.

Step 1 Order/obtain replacement lens mount

I got mine from Nikon usa for about 17 dollars including shipping.  Please take note of the screw, brass plate and chrome mounting post in the left side of the first photo.  These are included with the replacement part.  I removed these and used the existing ones instead. 

Comments

[nick2491]

Much appreciated pal, got my 18-55 back on the road in 15 minutes with this guide. One tip for fiddly projects like this, I use a thin strip of blu-tack on the desk to put screws into in the order they come out and keep them from rolling away. Also, for putting tiny screws back in place, if the screwdriver is not magnetic, a tiny dot of blu-tack on the end of the screwdriver attaches the screw so you can get it in the relevant hole easily, tighten it and the blu-tack squashes under the pressure and then just scrapes off afterwards. If it helps anyone, I'll be glad!

[lreina]

I just dropped my D7000 and broke the lens mount :(
Where did you guys buy a new lens mount? I am looking all over the internet but I cant find anything... I need help please!

[AgCat]

Awesome information and instructions! A friend pointed me to this site after I broke my Nikon lens mount in a fall. The new mount cost me $12.29 including shipping. The Nikon parts guy couldn't have been more helpful. With the instructions detailed here, I was able to fairly quickly replace the mount. I didn't lose even one tiny screw because of the precautions I took at your suggestion. This task would not have been so easy without this help. WELL DONE!! I only wish Nikon would offer a metal mount replacement, but at least I know I can replace it if it breaks again. Thank you very much!

[danieljgmaclean]

Just literally broke the lens mount and googled straight away to find out options. This came up in a search. Thanks very much for spending the time putting this together, it's saved me a lot of time. I'm in the middle of contacting Nikon UK for the spare part, hopefully they will have them in stock.

[danieljgmaclean]

Just an update. Got a response from Nikon. They have the part in stock. I have a 55-200mm lens and the part number for the plastic mount i'm being told is JAA79351-F (Bayonet Mount). It costs £9.81 + postage (£2.00) + VAT. They are quoting a turnaround time of 2-5 days. Hope this helps somebody else.

[danieljgmaclean]

Last update, got the part from Nikon. Turns out that for the 55-200mm it has a different brass bracket for the cable which attaches to the mount than the 18-55mm however the mount itself is exactly the same. Also the aperture ring and zoom limiter that came with the spare part was shorter than the one already present within the 55-200mm lens, so I just re-used the one inside the lens instead of the new one (which seems like it should belong on the 18-55mm lens. Sadly though, even though the bracket has been fixed, the auto focus motor seems to be broken :-( bad times

[dicebourbon]

Thank you for this! The instructions were easy to understand and you saved me a bunch of money not having to buy a whole new lens.

[will0316]

is there a way that anyone can link me to repair kit on nikonusa.com because i have searched for the kit around the site and i cannot find it anywhere!!! Thanks :)

[ralbright]

I called parts at 310-414-8107 i did not see a link for the part on their web site.

[will0316]

thanks!!

[ChoiLive]

Awesome! I actually have a 18-55mm that I got with my D40x and like yourself, broke the lens mount when I dropped it. I didn't know you could buy another lens mount kit. You saved me buying another lens, thanks!

[annahoward]

You're a life-saver! I just dropped my camera w/ the 55-200mm attached and popped off all three of those dang little pieces of plastic and was driving home freaking out about how much it was going to set me back when I don't want to replace this lens as I'm saving for a tamron 70-200mm 2.8. but $17 I can do... Thank you!!

[Ro]x[as]

 Very nice instructable; clear and detailed. I could have used this a few years ago when I broke the mount on a cheap 70–240 mm. These days, I try to keep to lenses with metal mounts.

[Tool Using Animal]

My wife just ordered a D5000 kit, I'm sure this will come in handy eventually.  Favorited.