Rear axle replacement
 

IS it really as much of a pain in the a$$ removing an axle shaft as the FSM makes it look??

Not really Panzzer, though I don't know how service describes it. If you use the standard Haynes printed service manual we all use, it describes it well and I think for a newby with a few tools and maybe two hydraulic jacks, you should have them out of there in in two hours. I have no experience with the axle type that is bolted to a hub just off the differential. I have done the type that is attached inside the differential, which I would think is the most difficult type.

If it's anything like the w123, which I'm assuming it is, then no. Its one of those jobs where the first side you do takes 4 hours, and the second takes 35 mins.