what would be the best way of taking apart a front rover 200 hib without damaging the bearing and then being able to put it back together again?

Get the haynes and follow the instructions...

Suspect that taking the bearing out without damaging the bearing is almost impossible as when removing the drive flange the inner bearin is likely to be a tight fit on the section of the flange thats goes through it. Normal procedure is to use a press to press the flange from the bearing then remove the bearing circlip(s) and press the bearing out from the hub . To release the inner part of the bearing depends on how tight it is on the flange, you may be lucky and be able to get a sharp chisel behind the bearing or a bearing puller , you may even have to grind through the bearing to get it off.

if you manage to remove the bearing without cream crackering it then your a god. I had to get the welder out on one the other day for a bit of heat persuasion ofter pressing it thumping with the biggest hammer in the box. Oh and it was in pieces at the end

Usually a a good clean single tap on the brake disc with a 2 kG Hammer will take what BL/MG rover called the "drive flange" off the CV joint leaving the inner part of the wheel bearing in place. If it dosen't come on the first or second tap the chances are the wheel bearing inner isn't going to stay in place.

Are you need to remove the hub to change the wheel studs ?

thanks for the replies. it is to replace the wheels studs yes, such a painal