Re: 23 yo Volvo bearing carrier removal
You can try it with the anode screw holes, but I would bet a pay check that the threads will be the first thing to come out. Especially if that drive has been used in salt water, and by the barnical marks all over it, there isn't much question about that.
When using the special tool it pulls the shaft and gear perfectly straight out of the lower housing. The slightest angle will bind it up solid. It usually takes the special tool to pull the carrier out during rebuild with all the corrosion cleaned off. Just the close tolerance makes it tough to get out. In salt water drives, it usually takes the special too and the flame torch to get them apart.