Hello. First time owner of a VW. A 1996 Jetta Trek. One of the wheel bearings needs replacing. I plan I doing the job myself as I've done with all my other cars.

I would appreciate any "how to" suggestions on this procedure. Thanks.

 

I wish you the best. I needed to change my RF wheel bearing but couldn't get the damn thing to budge. I tried spraying it with Kroil, used a 1/2" breaker bar and socket (broke the breaker!), assisted with a cheater bar, also tried a 1/2" 500 ft/lb. impact wrench. No go. Finally gave up and went to a shop and had them do it for me. Costly, but got the job done.

 

I usually take the complete hub out and take it along with the new bearing to our local machine shop and have the old one pressed out and the new one pressed in.
Usually I do both side together and it costs less than 50 $$ at the machine shop.
Don't forget to take the snap rings with you.
Also dont move the car while the axle nut are not tightened.
You can hammer the outer part of the bearing out with a proper socket, but usually the rest of the bearing will stay on the shaft hub which will need cuting out.
This is why your best way is to take it to a machine shop, it takes them less 30 min to do both sides.