How to Break a Chain Without a Chain Breaker

A chain-breaking tool is the simplest way to break your bike chain and repair it, but a tool is not always available. Fortunately, there is more than one way to break a chain. Using a few extra tools, you can properly secure the link you will break in place and hammer the pin out to disconnect both sides. Breaking the chain without the use of a chain-breaking tool is risky, so you may have to replace the broken link if your link shatters.

Things You'll Need

  • 3/4-inch socket
  • 2 mm drill bit
  • Pliers
  • Hammer
  • Helper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Position a 3/4-inch socket (narrow side up) on a flat work surface. Position the chain over the socket. Isolate a single link over the narrow opening of the socket.

    • 2

      Grasp a 2 mm drill bit in sturdy pliers. Hold the drill bit over the top of the pin in the chain. Ask your helper to hold the chain steady over the opening of the socket.

    • 3

      Hammer the drill bit. Pull back the drill bit to see if the pin fell out of the link and into the socket. If not, continue hammering until the pin comes loose.

    • 4

      Pull the two pieces of chain apart. Lift the socket and retrieve the pin so you can reuse it later. Store the pin in a safe place so you don't lose it.