I have this 3-piece euro bottom bracket crank set on my 2007 Free Agent cruiser. I wanna install my new Primo crankset but I'm having great trouble removing the bottom bracket. The crank arms slide off with ease but the specialty socket I have for removing the screw-in bearing retainers/cups is too shallow to fit over the spindle. I went to my LBS and they haven't ever seen a deeper socket for this application. They suggested that the spindle should slide out. The spindle on the Primo set will slide easily from side to side when installed but this Free Agent spindle seems to be fixed in position as if there is a cartridge between those scew in cups. How can I remove this set up without having to cut the spindle off with a grinder. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Steve.

Did you try taking the driver side off and sliding spindle out that way? There may be a collar that only let's it slideout that way?

Yes, I've had both left and right side crank arms removed but the spindle won't budge. (I took those pics just to show the type of bracket and length of spindle relative to the socket.) I can't see anything to prevent it from sliding. I've tried pressing it out with a vise, and even hammering it with a hammer, but nothing moves it. Yet it still spins freely!

your bike shop needs to go back to school. there are several deeper BB tools available. my choice is an actual Shimano brand, which is hollow all the way thru. you use a crescent or just a big open end wrench with it (not a ratchet).