Seized chain quick link.

ben@31
ben@31 Posts: 2,327
edited March 2013 in Workshop
Hi, I have a "SRAM powerlink" style link on my chain and it's not coming undone.

I've soaked and cleaned it, brushed it with white spirit and it's now the shinyest part of my bike. I've tried pressing both sides inwards (sometimes I hear a click or is that my fingers breaking). I've tried some pliers. But nothing is getting the link to slide apart.
Plan B is a junior hacksaw and some shopping.

Is there anything else I could do? Any knack to it?

Thanks.
"The Prince of Wales is now the King of France" - Calton Kirby

Comments

  • philvantwo
    philvantwo Posts: 85
    Are you using proper pliers such as those made by parktool or kmc?
  • philvantwo
    philvantwo Posts: 85
    If you search for 'quicklink' there is a link to a photo from the CTC magazine, never had to use that method as my pliers always work but its good to know that method if I'm out on the road! :D
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    ben@31 wrote:
    Hi, I have a "SRAM powerlink" style link on my chain and it's not coming undone.

    I've soaked and cleaned it, brushed it with white spirit and it's now the shinyest part of my bike. I've tried pressing both sides inwards (sometimes I hear a click or is that my fingers breaking). I've tried some pliers. But nothing is getting the link to slide apart.
    Plan B is a junior hacksaw and some shopping.

    Is there anything else I could do? Any knack to it?

    Thanks.
    is it a Power link?

    or is it a Powerlock? or a KMC one time link?

    many are one use only. mainly on 10spd and more
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • buckmulligan
    buckmulligan Posts: 1,031
    My KMC 10-speed one was an absolute b@$*%"£ to get off the first time but folding the chain into a s-shape and using the adjacent stretches to hold on to and force it eventually got it off. They loosen up after a couple of times on and off, they may well say that they're single use, but I'd rather risk it busting on me than deal with getting a new one off every time I want to clean my chain!
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,414
    if it is a sram 10-speed link then it's a 'powerlock', these are permanent, they are not supposed* to be removed/re-used

    if it's a link that's supposed to be removed, make sure there's no tension on the chain, squeeze sides *gently* together, slide apart, there is a definite knack to it, once mastered it's easy, i've never needed to resort to pliers etc. even on really claggy chains after a nasty winter of commuting

    if it's a powerlock link leave it alone, just get some kmc missing links, break the chain somewhere else and fit the kmc link - with the chain off the bike, just to prove you can do it, close the link, then immediately undo it, practice a few times, then in future you can undo the kmc link as required


    *some people re-use powerlock links, sram says do not do this, when i've tested things by forcing them off i've found tiny metal shards, then the link requires much less force to close/open again, good enough reason to follow sram's instructions
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • mallorcajeff
    mallorcajeff Posts: 1,489
    Another way i did it was to pass a bit of wire throguh it in line with the chain then cross back as if you were doing the first step ofnthing your laces. Then pull each bit in opposite direction the wire will then pinch it together for you. I found it needed pressing together really hard first few times. Now you can do it one handed.
  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    philvantwo wrote:
    If you search for 'quicklink' there is a link to a photo from the CTC magazine, never had to use that method as my pliers always work but its good to know that method if I'm out on the road! :D
    This. http://www.ctc.org.uk/file/member/201107050_0.pdf

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