Stronglight crank worries

I have a stronglight crank (can't remember the exact model but its vintage) and it needs to be removed using one of the vintage stronglight crank pullers.

Thankfully I have one. However, the problem I have is that the axle is such that when the crank puller is threaded in to the cranks there is no space to then get the pulling bolt to thread into the other bit... Does that make sense?
If the puller bolt is securely threaded in the other bit then I can't get it to thread onto the crank arm because the axle gets in the way.

The axle is an old type that has a bit of thread on either side for a nut to screw onto.

The last thing I want to do is to damage any threads by not having something secure.

Can anyone help/suggest a solution?
Thanks

Seems to me you should only thread the puller into the crank with the inner extractor bit already in, i.e. don't take the inner bit out, just backed out as far as it can go without removing.

As long as the crank threads are engaged you should be ok. Remember to always back the extractor if you feel resistance as you try to apply turn to pull, i.e. pump it in a bit after pulling out some, then pull some more. Helps stop stripping the crank.

If all this fails, I'm told bearing pullers that car mechanics use can be used.

That's the thing it seems that I can't have both sets of thread engaged enough to take the strain. I think anyway, i'm not overly keen to test under duress.

hmm might have to walk it round to my lcs...
Cheers for the help

I had that problem a while back I think it must be something about some axles and stronglight cranks anyway I ground off the end of the extractor end so that it did fit I could try and look out the extractor if you want.

Yes you a right not to undo the extractor from the crank as once those treads are gone you fucked.

Zebs

hmmm I do have a bench grinder so I could try that out, there does seem to be an unnecessary amout of un-threaded bit at the tip.

As I said you are welcome to borrow mine I am in Rotherhithe

Will the "pulling bolt" even start threading in when the puller is fully tightened into your crank arm? If you can get a couple of threads in there you might be successful, and the worst you could do would be to strip the crank puller's thread (not the end of the world as crank pullers aren't that expensive).

If it wont even start in the thread, your puller bolt probably has a small unthreaded section on the front of it (like mine does) and shaving this down so that the threaded section is exposed will give you more room.

Just make sure you don't try to unscrew the puller to make room for the bolt, as you really don't want to end up stripping the thread off the crank arm because then you are stuffed.