I needed to remove my front mech last week to clean it in areas I couldn't get at with it on the bike. The mucky crud was preventing it from reaching the big chainwheel. I had to split the chain to be able to remove the mech and bu***red up the joining link in the process. Apart from cost cutting why did Shimano stop using a nut and bolt and spacer at the end of the mechanism cage which allowed the mech to be removed without disturbing the chain. Anyway, my nice clean derailleur now has the aforsaid nut bolt and spacer (aren't dremels wonderful) and the chain has a new joining link.