Hi Andy....the hub nut is mega tight. I take it you have opened up the stake on the nut where it's dimpled into the keyway on the CV joint threaded shank. Leave the car on the ground, remove the wheel centre cap, get someone to apply the footbrake hard and use a long breaker bar..they are normal r.h. threads.
As you have seen on RAVE (Probably)..there is a special tool used to remove the joints and equally important a special alighnment tool for centralising the swivel to the axle tube oil seal, if it's not centralised the oil seal will wear out in no time and leak. I would fit new seals anyway for what they cost. I have a removal tool which is very similar to the LR one but it is mechanical with a hefty bolt instead of a hydraulic ram. I would say that applying loads of heat either with a good propane torch or oxy acetylene is essential. I also have the centralising tool.
I am going over to Holyhead next week to meet my cousin who is bringing some stuff for me, he lives in North Wales if that's any help and you can always ship it back to me (It's quite heavy though). There was a guy advertising hire of the LR tool on Ebay some time ago..he was based in Manchester, drop Gemsdad a PM,he might know of him.
PM me your email address and I will send you a copy of a write up on replacing front wheel bearings..it will give step by step instructions on the hub stripdown, in particular details of pitfalls and problems encountered.
