The Chemist

My '76 450SL CV joints are shot. I purchased rear axle half shaft replacements, but have been reluctant to replace them due to my lack of knowledge and very little info in the forums about the procedure. I DID find a procedure here:

http://www.mercdjetmegasquirt.britau...rear_axles.htm

However, the pics didn't come out on my browser. My #1 question was this:

Do the rear spindles have to be removed to change the shafts, or after the removal of the long bolt and spacer from the hub, do the axles just push inward until the splines are clear of the hub??

Does anyone have any experience changing or replacing the rear axle shafts on the 450SL??

Thanks, any info would be helpful...

Louis