Yes, that is correct.
I took off the support straps (name?) toward the inside of the axle near the carrier. As soon as I did that The carrier got loose and acts like it would pop out if the axles were out of the way.
I removed the entire hub assembly, brake assembly, and backing plate assembly. What was left is what I believe you are calling the "retainer", which was essentially a sheetmetal cup with grease seal. I pulled the 6 bolts out and removed that, I can clearly see the ball-bearings of the outer axle bearings. As I mentioned before I tried using a chain and a brake drum as a puller, but the axles wouldn't budge. I tried heating up around the outer bearing and then tried the chain and drum again to no avail. It acts as though the bearings are press fit to the axle and then press fit to the housing....
Here's a picture before I removed everything. You can see the 6 bolts I was talking about right around the tapered axle shaft.
[IMG]
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1958_zpsgiyllngk.jpg[/IMG]
