Thanks!
I got the bearing off: it was a bearing and a spacer...stuck together.
The car is completely in pieces now, has been through the dishwasher, moving parts are lubricated again.
Some small parts need to be replaced and are ordered.
As soon as I get them I can put everything back together.

Some snake-newby questions:
-are there supposed to be markings on the spur gears? I don't see them...there's a "6" or "9" on one and a "0" on the other, but no other markings. The pulleys have markings on them with the number of teeth.

- Do standard size servo's fit both for steering and throttle? Or do I need low profile servo's

- I have a JR/Graupner SB6 synthesizer Rx (it's in Germany now...it got wet...needs to be repaired/replaced...). Will that fit in the radio tray, or do you need a special micro RX?