Nicely put, George! I have been lucky enough to have NEVER needed to
replace rear wheel bearings in probably 1/3 a million miles of  Vanagon
driving.
When and IF the need arises, I'd be tempted to try to do the job with
the control arms in place. This will avoid changing the rear wheel
alignment and dealing with the brake lines and hoses. Hell maybe/
probably  it IS time to replace the brake lines and hoses! (This brings
another topic to mind -bushings-which I will try to save for another
thread! remind me, if I forget!)
Nearly every bearing is inserted into its housing with some amount of
interference. I do not know the amount, but would guess .5 to 2
thousandths of an inch. Judicious use of heat (oxy-acetylene torch or
oxy-propane) and a big tip will make it rather easy to make that housing
a few thousandths larger. Enough so, that a few light hammer taps will
get out the bearing. I always have a lot of chisels and punches and
homemade drivers made from transmission countershafts- solid steel 7/8"
by 11" - laying around. That way, I can get the force where it needs to be.
Incidently, a hammer blow is the easiest way to get a taper loose. It is
scary how much force it takes when pulled directly with a puller! The
nicest is to use both, actually.
Al Brase
George Goff wrote:

>ANYTHING can be "hammered out".  <snip> All
>these were examples of what might be called the craftsmanship of risk, the risk
>being inversely proportionate to the skill and experience of whoever is
>slugging the hammer.
>
>George
>
>
>