Rear end disassembly question

[Shvegel]

Hi,
I pulled my rear axle apart today and I am down to the last bearing race,  How do you get the left side carrier bearing race out of the left axle tube? There doesn't seem to be any way to get a hold on that little sucker.

[ja17]

Not sure what you mean by "carrier bearing race" ?

[Shvegel]

The race on the inboard end of the left axle tube with the shim behind it.

[Benz Dr.]

Normally the whole shaft comes out with the bearing and backing plate if it's a 230SL. On 250's and 280's the backing plate stays on the axle and a cover holds the axle shaft in place. Undo the nuts and the axle will slide out. You would need to pound on it a bit to break either type loose but it shouldn't require a sledge hammer.

[Shvegel]

Dan,
Other end of the tube where it bolts to the center section.

[mbzse]

.../...How do you get the left side carrier bearing race out of the left axle tube? There doesn't seem to be any way to get a hold.../...

There is a slight "lip"; i.e. the race has just a bit smaller diameter than the inner dia of the axle tube.
Make a circular metal plate, which has a diameter precisely matching the inner dia of the tube. Cut two parts off, each side. This leaves a "strip" with radius each end. Drill a hole in it, put a screw through. Insert this strip behind the "lip" and put a support to make the screw in the hole act as a puller, to remove the bearing race. Or if you can get in behind, you can knock the race out with the metal strip.
May be useful to put the old, worn race "in between", when you tap the new race in place (and as ggr writes, don't forget the shims!)
/Hans in Sweden
.

[GGR]

I did that long time ago. I don't remember if the diameter of the tube allows for it but if so, put the tube standing on a piece of wood, insert a large socket in the tube that would come to rest on the lip of the race. Then insert a tube and whack on it. the race should come off. There may be shims behind it, don't loose them and make sure to put them back as they are part of the crown and pinion adjustment.

[Shvegel]

Got it! I woke up at 4:30 AM and remembered I had bought a slide hammer set years ago to do some repairs to my In-Laws car and tucked it away never to be seen again.  I went out to the garage and lo and behold the perfect tool was in my hands.  A few whacks and the job was done.

Thanks everyone for the replies!