Quote Originally Posted by SammyDV View Post
Besides that they also hold the sprocket in place.
No, they don't.
The sprocket carrier is loose from the wheel.

If you take the wheel out, you can lift the sprocket carrier (only need to overcome some friction of the bolts in the rubber).

The whole assembly is held together by the axle, the swingarm and spacers on each side of the wheel / carrier.