Mercedes W124 260E final drive gasket [ axle]

[optimusprime]

Hi can i ask this question please .For W124 m103 1989
Looking yesterday under the car . Just to condition it for the winter, with wax oil .And with the use of wire brush to clean the metal pipes for the fuel and brakes systems .
The bottom of the final drive was damp
Now i have the sealer to make a new gasket .
But looking at the plate on the rear of the differential i can see no way of removing it The sub frame is very close to the back plate .,.So thats the question -- can i remove the back plate ,or do i need to drop the axle to remove the back plate. Hope its not another mercedes puzzle. Thanks for any help given..