How to Use a Chain Tool to Break a Chain
How a chain tool works, and how to use it to disconnect and reconnect your bike chain.
This week we’ll learn how to break a chain using a chain tool. I’ll cover the quick release method next week.
Quick Release Links
The first thing to do is check to make sure your chain does not already have a quick release link. Do this by turning your pedals backwards and carefully watching every chain link as it goes by. A quick release link will stand out as they look different from all of the others. If you find one, you can refer to next week’s tutorial for removal and installation instructions.
The Chain Tool
If you can’t find a quick release link, then your chain probably doesn’t have one. This has traditionally been the most common type of chain, and it requires a chain tool for both removal and installation.
Turn the handle of your chain tool counter-clockwise until the pin has backed off enough so you can place one of your chain links on the outermost slot, furthest from the handle. There are two places on chain tools where you can place a chain. The outer slot is for disconnecting and re-connecting the chain, while the inner slot is for loosening chain links.
Disconnect the Chain
Now tighten the handle clockwise until the chain tool’s pin connects with the end of your chain pin. Continue tightening the handle and you’ll see the chain pin get pushed into the link and start coming out the other side. The tricky part here is to push the chain pin far enough so that it is gets about halfway through the first of the two outer chain plates. If the chain pin gets pushed all the way out of the chain there is really no way to get it back in, and you’ll be forced to shorten or replace your chain.
One way to prevent this is to pay careful attention to how easy the handle turns as you push the pin through. When you get close to the end, you’ll feel resistance and the handle will become a slight bit harder to turn. As soon as you feel this, stop tightening the handle, and then give it another half a turn. This is usually the perfect spot to disconnect the chain. When you take the chain tool off, you’ll notice the chain is still barely held together, but can be easily disconnected by twisting and pulling the chain.
Reconnect the Chain
Notice how a tiny bit of the pin is still poking out of the inner side of the outermost plate. This is perfect, as it will help us re-install the chain. Twist and push the links back together until the chain pin clicks back into the inner link, once again holding the chain together.
Now back off the chain tool’s handle and place the chain back onto the same outer slot of the chain tool. This time position it so the protruding chain pin faces inward toward the chain tool’s pin. Now tighten the handle until the tool pin starts pushing the chain pin back through the link. Continue tightening until a tiny bit of the link pokes through the other side. Now take a look at both sides of the link… the chain pin should stick out roughly the same amount on either side.
Loosen the Chain Link
The process of re-connecting the chain caused the chain links to compress together, making a stiff link. To fix this, we use the inner slot on the chain tool. Back off the chain tool all of the way so that you can place the freshly connected link into the inner slot. Now tighten the chain tool’s pin until it connects with the chain pin and tighten it just barely, about a quarter of a turn. This usually loosens the chain link plates enough. Remove the chain from the tool and check to make sure the link is loose. If it’s still tight, try loosening it with the chain tool another quarter of a turn.
Related Links
Recommended Tools
- Park Tool CT-5 Chain Tool
- Park Tool CT-3 Chain Tool
- Park Tool CC-3.2 Chain Checker
- Park Tool CC-2 Chain Checker
- Park Tool SK-3 Starter Mechanic Tool Kit
- Park Tool PK-3 Professional Tool Kit
Categories
Discuss this topic in the Bicycle Repairs and Mechanics Forum
How can I fuse & wire U7 headlights to Y-splitter connector?
Latest post 6 days agoHi everyone, I wanted to learn how to fuse, connect, or solder two U7 LED headlights into a 1-to-2 Y-splitter. Below are some pics of what they look like. I have an electric kick scooter, and one of the front headlights has blown out. So I am planning to buy two (2) new sets of U7 headlights and a Y-splitter. My idea was to cut off the ends of the 2 female Y-splitters and solder the wires to the ...
Read moreThe Roaming Radrunner Vlog 33: maintenance Matters
Latest post 2 weeks agoHi Folks Please see link to latest Vlog - all about the annual service to my Radrunner - hope you enjoy https://youtu.be/HDKluZTkU20?si=YuGWw-VwpbscVWj6...
Read moreVintage Multi tool
Latest post 2 weeks ago20260119_164440.jpg (Size: 19.36 KB / Downloads: 34) Hi Folks from a very snowy Aberdeen, thank you for letting me join. I have attached a picture of a simple multi tool I picked up with a job lot of bikes/spares can anyone give me info please, date etc 5 1/2 inches long has a screwdriver, tyre lever multi nut spanner and a patch holder ? thanks Les...
Read moreSRAM rival axs index Q
Latest post 2 weeks agoHi there, I recently bought some new wheels for my brand new specialized sl8 expert which runs sram rival axs. Everything is great except gear 12 (smallest cog) is now rejected (red and green LED flashes) in large ring. All other gears run fine. I notice as well that in the large ring it allows me to be in gear 1 which is cross chain? Is that normal? Any ideas what I need to do? Is it a limit sc...
Read moreRear Derailleur Issue
Latest post 3 weeks agoBeen going back and forth adjusting limit screws and tension. 7 Speed. When in the largest cog, the Shimano gear shifter reads 2. The chain will not shift to the smallest cog. When in the 2nd smallest cog, the shifter reads 7. So, no clicks remaining to get to the smallest cog. Any suggestions to resolve the issue. Thanks!...
Read moreTools compatibility
Latest post 3 weeks agoHi there, I'm a new member here....thanks for having me....you look like a nice, friendly and helpful bunch! I've been riding bikes as far back as I can remember, starting on my blue trike with big fat white tyres. I'm now mainly mountain-biking and commuting to work, with a bike for every situation! Over the years I've always done all my own bike maintenance and repairs and recognise now how com...
Read moreSchwinn boundary 29"rear axle
Latest post 4 weeks agoI bought a schwinn boundary 29" and the axle is missing does anyone have or know the size axle i need to get it together?...
Read moreAnyone know how to "fade" paint colors?
Latest post 2 months agoHi to all. I'm wanting to fix up an old MTB and want to use three colors (black for the front, yellow for the mid and red for the rear). I didn't want the colors to just abruptly meet but instead blend into the next. I'm unsure what this technique is called and the net provided no clues. I guessed that it's a "fade" or "blend" technique but it's a mystery how this is done. Can this be done via ...
Read moreHow to refurbish a bicycle 101
Latest post 2 months agoI thought I would do a thread about how to do a quality refurbish on a bicycle that will be a good user trouble free for quite a while. The scope of this refurb will not contain content about dealing with battle scars it may have endured in its lifetime, primarily because the bicycle is merely an example of a solid platform to build from (vintage lugged frame circa 1990). Purchased for $15us ...
Read moreHelp w/Shimano Altus Shift Indicator alignment..
Latest post 2 months agoHi, I have a new 2023 Trek Dual Sport 2 (gen 4) . It has a 2x9 drivetrain with Shimano Altus shifters. The red needle in the shifters window is reading off to the left. In my posted image this is how 5th gear is displayed and 6th gear is actually very close to reading 7th gear and so forth. Is there any way I can adjust this indicator a little bit to the right so it’s properly sitting spot on ...
Read moreWhat can I do if my bike chain keep making lound noises when I switch gears?
Latest post 3 months agoI have an e-bike and every time I switch gears, it makes a loud cranking noise whenever I'm pedaling. Because of this, I normally keep it in gear 6 or 7, and it doesn't make any noise at all. Just only in the initial start-up of pedaling, and then it's fine, but every time I switch it back over to any lower gear or high gear settings, it sounds like it's gonna pop and it makes it loud popping cran...
Read moreCatrike Dumont chamber problem?
Latest post 4 months agoI've read that a bit of negative camber (tops of the wheels tilt inward) is normal for most recumbent trikes, but the Catrike info I've read says that they're supposed to have neutral (0 degree) chamber. After I put two Schwalbe tires on my Catrike, I noticed that the front wheels each have a bit of negative chamber - and that the only causes per Catrike are "If your Catrike Dumont wheels are not...
Read moreChange front wheel to quick release on Schwinn Meridian
Latest post 4 months agoHas anyone replaced the front axle of the Schwinn Meridian trike with a quick release axle/hub? If so, any thoughts/instructions? I am looking at some of the 'replacement' kits on Amazon that are supposed to replace a through axle with a hollow axle that has the quick release skewer inside.... but I don't know anything about them or if they're safe? Or hard to replace? If anyone has any experien...
Read moreQuick release vs. bolt on axle durability
Latest post 4 months agoI'm about to replace the rear wheel on my bike. The new wheel has a quick release, and I'm wondering if, since the axle is hollow, it would make it more prone to bending than the fixed bolt axle. The new wheel is the same brand as the old one (Weinmann 519, 26"x1.5), and they appear identical in all respects except for the axle. My question is, would it be better for the sake of durability to use ...
Read moreEbkarocy 14" Controller Question
Latest post 4 months agoIMG_20251012_124732558_HDR.jpg (Size: 86.29 KB / Downloads: 30) Hi. I recently got this bike and the controller was very loose in the box. I came up with this configuration. Is it ok to have the controller touching the frame like this? Thanks!...
Read more
