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    How do I remove the chain? (Without chain tool)

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    39 Comments

    2. therealmitzu on

      The rollers need to be pushed closer, not further apart. What you’re trying in the photo would make the quick link tighter instead of looser (on top of generally being a bad idea, but I guess you’re throwing the chain out anyway).

    7. Killed_By_Covid on

      Do you have a bench grinder? A set of crappy pliers? I needed some chain pliers and didn’t want to wait for an Amazon order or go buy some. I just ground down some regular pliers to look like chain pliers. They work great.

    11. E92m on

      Stop hammering on it. This is wedging into the link in the wrong direction. If you haven’t already damaged the chain, you can undo a quick link with a shoelace. Just look up a YouTube video

    12. shark_bait1211 on

      There are videos showing how to use a shoestring to disengage the masterlink. I can’t adequately describe the wrapping sequence … best watch the video.

    13. Ee00n on

      If you have adjustable pliers, you can pinch on diagonal corners of the quick link to open it.

    14. ChrisSlicks on

      You need to compress the link in a perfectly straight line. Get it on the smallest rear sprocket, completely drop the chain from the front over the pedals. Secure one side of the quick link in the vice pointing up, hold the other side straight on and tap with a hammer.

    16. Fialasaurus on

      A pair of needle nose pliers. You just need to squeeze the quick link from the ends. Here it looks like you are tying to spread it apart from the inside of the link, which is the opposite of what you want to do.

    17. jmustelidae on

      You can try putting a length of cable (e.g. brake cable) around the quick link, crossing over like shoelaces and pulling hard. If that doesn’t work, I think you may as well get the proper link pliers and save yourself some time and grief.

    18. kingForOneDay on

      Without special tools… get a pipe wrench and put the “master link” in its jaws so the top of the left side is within the teeth of the top of the wrench, and the bottom of the right side is within the teeth of the bottom of the wrench. (Verify that the force will open the link, flip it around if it is necessary.) Squeeze and voila, you’re done.

    19. Think_Implement1843 on

      You’re almost at the right place, just one to the right and a plastic strip around the quick link, so it’ll pop open. 🙂

    21. s0rce on

      do you have something that can push a pin out? Can probably also open the quick link with needle nose pliers.

    22. WhatTheWhyTheHowThe on

      It’s been my experience that a chain tool is a basics used often enough tool to warrant purchase. Just buy one.

    23. ManaTee1103 on

      I’m super-confused by that picture. You are supposed to push the two rollers together, not pull them apart. I’ve seen people being able to open the quick link by just wrapping a strong piece of string on the two rollers, and then tightening it (e.g. twisting with a pencil).

      If you have a thin and strong nail or something, you may be able to dislodge one of the pins (not from the quick link, but one of the other links).

      If all else fails, angle grinder.

    24. Fialasaurus on

      A pair of needle nose pliers. You just need to squeeze the quick link from the outer edge. Here it looks like you are tying to spread it apart from the inside of the link, which is the opposite of what you want to do. The goal is to slide that pin to the larger opening so it pops out.

    25. mmlow on

      Pinch the plates together with your fingers, then sqeeze the two rollers together with needlenose pliers

    26. ThisAmericanSatire on

      The best way to remove a chain without a chain tool is to take it to the bike shop and pay them to do it.

      The next best way is to buy a chain tool. 

    27. Impressive_Meat_2961 on

      Bolt cutters.

      Or loop a bit of gear cable through the quick link and pull on either end to open it

    31. Call_me_Jules- on

      The link shown on the side cutters is a quick link. Work the two ends of the link toward one another and it should pop apart, no tools needed.

    33. Spacebar19 on

      You can thread a shoe laces through the link rollers and pull hard. Good luck. I haven’t done it myself but it should work. You might be able to do it with neddle nose pliers.

    37. Vegetable_Resort_571 on

      You could punch one of the pins out. That’s what I did when I couldn’t break the master link

    38. Ok_Individual960 on

      Needle nose pliers on the outside of the two rollers those cutting pliers are between. Squeeze. That pin in the slot needs to move to the round hole.

    39. MaverickGhostRider on

      Can you not push a pin out of one of the links? Failing that, just cut the chain off.

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