so i lost my job, my dads in hospital, my macbook hasjust **** broke and now this most backward of designs is causing me trouble.

so short of taking a blow torch to it how o i remove this dust cap as itsstuck fast.

i can remove the bolt if that helps but i need to get the dust cap out to remove the crank arm 😥

Don't know what you mean about dust cap? Ahh you mean the plastic collar to protect the crank bolt. Yup you need teh crank extractor tool!

sorry to hear about your job and Dad – don't break it or you'll be peed off with that at well! From great experience!

the back side of the tool that came with the cranks has a pin tool for removing it. it has a reverse thread BTW.

yeah i have the tool its just stuck like i put glue on it but i prbably greased it, really infuriating as there was nothing wrong with the system they use on all their other cranks.

I heard you shouldn't take out the alu bolt before you have taken the sleeve off. I think there was a old STW post about this – Put the bolt in and tignten it up – then perhaps try taking the sleeve off? have you tried putting a metal rod thought the tool to be able to give it more torque?

Aye you shouldn't have removed the bolt first, the tool screws in place of the collar to act as a self extracting cap. Not sure if it will contribute to the collar being stuck, it's only plastic you can't torque it up too much!

woohoo it is removed. as its just a dust cap i can do with out right? alternativly i could put wax or playdough in its place. sorry for my english i can't be arsed.

thanks for your replies

yup def not need it just stops the cr@p getting in and fouling the threads on the cranks!