[Black_peter]

That replacement guarantee is for if they fail during NORMAL use. It doesn't cover using a screwdriver as a punch. They'll hand it right back to you. Don't believe me? Try returning one after you do that.

Actually...
Now granted this was a while ago, I handed the Sears guy a small flat blade screw driver (they used to actually get the tools for you) and he came back..
"I have looked all over, I can't find this anywhere, is it really old? Maybe we don't make it anymore?"
Me: Would it help if I told you it used to be a Phillips head screwdriver? I ground it down into a flat blade"
Hon: "Oh.. OK"
He found it..

[arsenic]

I'm sure that WAS a while ago. Try that now.

[Black_peter]

Yeah... When was I last in a Sears? Ummm Oh yeah to register my car..

St Paul DMV is in the Sears
But for tools?
Umm 1994?

[Danskat]

What about heat? Good or bad idea? Not sure on an aluminum rim but I can't see it hurting really...

[Mojoe]

Actually...
Now granted this was a while ago, I handed the Sears guy a small flat blade screw driver (they used to actually get the tools for you) and he came back..
"I have looked all over, I can't find this anywhere, is it really old? Maybe we don't make it anymore?"
Me: Would it help if I told you it used to be a Phillips head screwdriver? I ground it down into a flat blade"
Hon: "Oh.. OK"
He found it..

I think it all depends on the guy behind the counter. one might just exchange it without hesitation, the next might ask you a gazillion questions.

What about heat? Good or bad idea? Not sure on an aluminum rim but I can't see it hurting really...

never in my life have I seen a bearing on a bike require heat to remove.
never have I seen a bearing that I had to whack more than 5 times to remove.

[diavolo]

When I'm in a "precise" mood, I'll grab a piece of scrap stock, fire up my lil lathe, and produce a proper sized punch/driver for the task at hand. But for those other times, the garbage set of screwdrivers fit the bill.

[D-new]

Got them out last night. I used a big screwdriver and it worked like magic. Now I just have to get the new ones in and I'm ready to roll.

[arsenic]

[Wild-Bill]

Freeze the new ones overnight and then use the old ones to drive them in. Don't forget to install the spacer before driving the second bearing in.

[hardlydangerous]

please heat the hubs
I have seen so many busted hubs in my day from people hammering out cold bearings

heat the hub with a propane torch or heat gun and the bearings basically fall out with a few light taps from the inside.

same with installing the new ones... heat the hubs, freeze the bearings over night then install them