sure you don't need a press to install the bearing but really it is the best way to go. the average person isn't going to have the skill to replace a bearing in the manor that you discribed. hell my father is a machinist and we do all our own work and we even take the knuckle to a shop to have bearings pressed in and out ... well now he does it himself at work but the point is a press is used.
I'm with ray, I would not recommend this method to replace a wheel bearing. use a press.
I'm with ray, I would not recommend this method to replace a wheel bearing. use a press.