Rear Axle Shafts: Removal

Raise and support vehicle.
Remove rear wheel(s).
Remove exhaust system as necessary to facilitate axle shaft removal. On SL500 with Adaptive Damping Suspension (ADS), disconnect control rod at level control or level sensor.
On all models, remove cover from fuel pump assembly if necessary.
Apply parking brake. Remove rear axle collared nut (126 chassis uses a retaining bolt instead of a collard nut). Press rear axle shaft from wheel carrier. Remove rear axle flange bolts.
Position rear axle shaft being removed to near horizontal position. Push rear axle shaft together and remove downward. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Removing Rear Axle Shaft

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.