Has anyone one the board tried to remove their rear axle flange (i.e, the hub that the wheel bolts to)? I have an SLK32 but I know our drivetrains/suspensions are identical. I'm trying to install Brembos on the rear with larger discs, but the backing plate is an issue. I cut the first one off without removing the flange, because I was confident I could cut back the offending portions that conflicted with the rotor and caliper and bolt it back in two pieces. And indeed, I was able to do this, but on the first side that I performed surgery on, one of the parking brake shoes relied on a portion that I unfortunately removed (didn't realize this obv as it's not at all evident or I would have cut it differently). I decided to go ahead and replace both backing plates at that point with SLK55 plates and removed the axle nut from the other side...yeah and to make a long story short, the flange is SERIOUSLY pressed on. I did a quick check beforehand in the SRT-6 service manual knowing that the components were identical, and it didn't say anything about having to use a special puller or anything. After I couldn't get the flange off, even using a puller that I already had, I went to the MB Star disk, which for the most part is worthless, but it did clearly indicate that a special puller was required, and that if you can't get it removed on the car with the hydraulic puller, then you have to remove the entire wheel carrier (i.e., the "knuckle") and have the flange manually pressed off ($&%!!#$).

Sooo, has anyone been successfully removing this part? Any special tricks? Yes, I've searched this and the MB forums but couldn't finad a thing... Any help most appreciated, thx. /C