Originally Posted by OM603

it cost you $200 out of pocket plus the time and effort to remove the wheel carrier, the time and effort to take it to the mechanic, the time and effort to get it back from the mechanic, and then the time and effort to reinstall the wheel carrier back onto the car.

The tool costs about $300 and the bearing can be replaced in less that an hour maybe two if your slow and careful. None of the links need to be fooled with, and after the job is done the tool can be rented out or resold to recoup the cost of buying it. If one wanted they could do the bearing on the other side as well and in effect get an even great value.

As described by the OP he is having a difficult time dealing with the fasteners in order to disconnect the links at the required ends, and he hasn't even gotten to one where the bolt is seized inside the bushing yet!