I have a suspected worn front wheel bearing that needs replacing. Is it possible to change these wheel bearings without a hydraulic press? There are no local garages near me with a press. I do have a very large vice.

there are special bearing replacement tools you can buy that can get the job done without a press, but the cost of the tool is worth more than just taking it to a garage
you need to be very careful about which bearing you get for the car... if you have an 03 or 53 plate, it requires a special bearing that you can only buy from mazda as it has an integrated dust/water seal... it must also be pressed in facing the correct way... there are no aftermarket bearings I know of that work properly with the 03 or 53 plate and using them will lead to quick failure

is it not easier just to buy the hub ? a hell of a lot easier to fit

Dread to think of the price of a new hub from Mazda

I've had one done, looking at the pressure (tonnes) and the fact he had to weld the two bearing races together to push them out......
No, I'd say its nigh on impossible without a heavy press. You have to press the hub off the carrier, then press the bearing out the hub.

[quote="diesel323"]Dread to think of the price of a new hub from Mazda [/quote]
a new hub costs 82 quid from mazda, not cheap!
unless the bearing was really knackered and the hub got damaged when removing it from the bearing, you don't need a new hub
bearing is only 54 quid... add another 10 for the seal if you don't have 03 or 53 reg