How difficult is it to replace the front wheel bearings on my 02? Can I do it without a hydraulic press? Can I do it without completely removing the knuckle? Any help here would be appreciated.

 

Yes it can be done in the driveway but it's a pretty tough job unless you have the right tools. The axle needs to come out of the hub, then a special tool kit[Hubtamer kit, etc.] is used to drive the hub out of the bearing, then there is a retaining ring that needs a healthy pair of snap ring pliers, then the special tool kit has a correct size 'puck' to draw out the bearing. The inner bearingrace will be stuck on the hub and you can cut a slot in it with a grinder then use an air hammer with chiselto drive it off. Then the tool kit will have the pucks to fit behind the hub and over the outer part of the bearing to drive the bearing back into the hub, you can't push against the inner race because that will "brinnel" the bearing. [put little dents on the inner race]. Put the retaining ring back in it's groove.
Next step is to use the tool kit to drive the hub in to the inner races, support the inside inner race so it doesn't pop out as the hub shaft comes into it.
Slam dunk the axle back in , throw the tire on and you are race ready.
The Bearings cost around $65 and the published labor time [labor op code 415105]is 1.1 flat rate hours, so you could probably have it done at the dealer for approx $150.
If you call them up and give them the labor code it will flip their wigs. LOL

 

$150 for one side, or both bearings? It may be easier to get this done by a dealer Thanks