The stainless rivets that hold the end cap on have most likely corroded(Galvanic Reaction) with the aluminum making the cap hard to get off. I had to use a large screwdriver and a hammer with large amounts of penetrating oil to get mine loose a few years back.Use the screwdriver like a dull chisel to tap around the end cap. Just be careful you don't break the casting.
Todd
Yeup - this will do the trick, just be careful - this is almost the same setup on the Pindle 18-2/19. I had the same problem recently. Drilled out the holes, smothered it in PB Blaster over night, came out the next morning and tapped them out. My other advice would be sure to clean everything off with a fine wire brush to get all the crud off and then clean & rinse w/soap & water.
When reassembling I had coated everything with TEF-GEL
http://www.tefgel.com/contain.php?param=tefgel_inforto keep this from happening again. Also consider using monel rivet with the reassembly. Oh! One other thing - you may want to replace the bungee cord, and ropes while at it.
