Update: Got quotes from two shops and I got $260 and then $300 ish (told em that was my max). The shop I’m going with has a metal fabricator right next door so they are going to make a mold or something like that. Oof. For a mold and replacement it sounds too cheap. Besides you don't know how that ...

Yes, you can just remove it

Good luck!

Thanks for this information. While working on my 2000 V70 last night, I checked for play in the axles. The left felt tight but the right was notably loose between the axle splines and the wheel hub. That could be because I just replaced that hub while the left is likely original, firmly in place wit...