are the wheel bearings on a 95 sidekick pressed in?

The rear are and the front bearings are not: but the race (correct term?) is pressed into the front hubs. If it is not worn you can switch out the bearings without removing it and pressing in another but you need to check it for wear.

Zig

I have the same problem, I think.  Would a worn bearing cause the CV Half Shaft to have play in it?

    Yep.The bearings are the suport system so to speak.Any bearing problem will lead to play.

i haven't had to do this yet, but the bearing races should be able to be walked out and installed w/a drift, right?
perhaps half shaft slop is from the cv joint?(you must have considered this, sorry)
also, you must have gotten that shaft out, right? did you have to pull the caliper off?(i couldn't remember)

yes, i pulled the caliper and everything out down to the steering knuckle. I found a machine shop here locally that would press in new races for $35 bucks.  I just hope the hub is not shot.  The guy at the shop said (on the phone) that i should be able to get the nut out with a hammer and screwdriver.  I have not separated the half shaft from the transfer case yet because chilton's says I need a special tool.  Both outer CV boots are torn and dry.  the good news is that the hubs were stuck in "free" so they have not been turning.  the former owner said he used the 4 wheel drive in the snow once or twice a year then it quit working.  My guess is that the stuck hubs are the issue.  whoever put them in (they are aftermarket) did not have any gasket in there and they were bone dry. 

One thought... the snap ring on the end of the spline was wallowed out a bit and rusted.  do you think that would contribute to popping noises and play?  I really thought this was going to be an easy project... you know, just slap on some spring spacers and hit the trail... well, the deeper I go, the worse it gets.  the former owner said that it did not leak a drop... well, at least not on the driveway.  after removing the skid plate and letting it sit in my garage, it has become apparent that it does leak... from the rear main.  the skid plate was catching it all. grrrr.

I have replaced bearing races without the hassle of a press.  I just cooled them first in a freezer before installing.  Careful tapping with a mallet and a wood block did the trick.