I am thinking of replacing the bearing myself but wondering about the Gen 2 bearing removal/fitting tools that are available. Prices range from £200+ (Sealey, Laser, etc.), down to £80  (Mastertek and unbranded).

Are the cheaper tools any good? 

With the price of labour etc., DIY with an £80 tool would make it more economic, but I wonder if they are made of weaker steel.

Or is there a good chance that on my 2004 HTP Fabby, with 150k on the clock, no tool will work and I'd best ask a garage with a press to do the job?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

I'm sure I didn't pay as much as this, but it was a handful of years ago. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Slpro-Wheel-Bearing-Assembly-Puller/dp/B01LWSTTVP/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=72mm+wheel+bearing+tool&qid=1603440394&sr=8-3

 

Get a quote from a garage, but not one that will just use a press to fit the new bearing, without the appropriate Gen2 bits to push in the right place, cos you/they will end up doing it again after they knacker the new bearing.

 

I think the only bit likely to suffer from cheap metal in the Chinese kits is the main 'pull' bolt, but if you grease it thoroughly, and maybe heat the bearing carrier with a sustained blast of hot air before attempting removal you'll be OK.

They do take a bit of starting during removal, so probably expect to be using a long breaker bar on that 'pull' bolt if you do DIY. Maybe not so bad with added heat, which I didn't use on my one and only experience.

I've had my budget set for many years and it still works fine. Just go steady and keep threads lubed.

 

 

It is possible to drift the old bearing out of the hub, clean the seat up. Then heat it in the oven for a couple of hours, leave the bearing in the freezer overnight. Lightly oil the bearing and it pushes in by hand. Seat with a light tap with wood. Holding ring then has to be pushed in with a screwdriver. Downside is you have to remove the ABS sensor, which usually means a new one. I did our last one with this procedure, still going strong after 50,000 miles until I took the car off the road.