Can't get Arrow Ti cans apart to repack

[Franco58]

Ok, I thought, this won't be so bad...shee-yeah...right!

I took the cans off my S4Rs and drilled the rivets on the inlet side out of the first one. The strap "sproinged" off and I thought "this is easy"...wrong.   
The end cap refuses to separate from the sleeve.   

I did what I usually do, which is come back to the forums searching for answers. I tried to use a plastic hammer to persuade the cap to come off and the only thing I managed was to put a couple of dents in the cap!   

I toyed with the idea of just riveting the strap back on, but I now have a rattle caused by the drilled rivet ends inside the can!!

Can anyone offer suggestions on what I can do without inflicting more damage on my pipes???

Thanks, Frank

[Bill in OKC]

I found this - the link to Grazi
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=26361.0
Have to carefully pry the cap to break the glue free.
and from what I've read (no FHE) the exit side is easier to remove.

[WhiteStripe]

It's a little bit of a pregnant dog, but you will get it.
I took a very small flat head screwdriver and put it in the rivet hole on the metal of the endcap and then banged with a small hammer on end of screwdriver to get tehm going.  Move a mm on one, move to the next one, pry and tap etc. etc.
I also found that as the adheasive loosens, you can twist them a bit which helps you wiggle them out.
It really isnt that hard, they are just in their snug.  Keep prying away and they will start to come.
I actually did one at work, in an office on a conference call
Don't quit on it.

[Franco58]

Thanks Bill and WhiteStripe!   

I appreciate the help. I thought there MUST be some kind of sealant holding the pieces together, because mine won't budge. I started to work a screwdriver blade in between the sleeve and cap, but I was worried that I might damage things.    Maybe I just need a smaller scrwdriver! I'll try again tonight after work! I'lll post-up results when I finish.

All the Best,
Frank

[Franco58]

AWESOME, ! I used a small, narrow putty knife to cut through the sealant, and it popped apart! 

Many, many thanks for the help, folks, I appreciate the input!     

[WhiteStripe]

Great idea on the knife - knew you would get it!