Rethreading chain - after derailleur dismantling (is it necessary to break the chain?

[YorkshireGull]

(09-06-2015, 06:29 PM)painkiller Wrote:  your derailleur looks way hyper extended, does it return to normal with the chain removed again?

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did you install the rear plate proper? I do not see the top pulley in the picture either

Hi Painkiller - here are some much better daylight photos - again the pictures are flipped. The back plate is on, and I've double checked the plate is on the right way (or I think it is). I agree - the arm just flops away (the wrong way) - but you can curl it up as it should be by using a hand (!) (see the final photo - which also shows how I've threaded it). The B - adjustment screw is screwed right out (could that have such an influence?).

Any more thoughts based on these better pics?