My similar has just gone too. I chickened out and got our local man to fix
it a couple of years ago, and he reckons that having gone again so soon the
shaft is probably damaged so that the seal is leaking (which is what kills
the bearings).

I don't think you should need specialist tools though. You shouldn't need to
get the bearings from Hoover, they will be standard bearings and seals ex
stock in your local Bearing Services. It can be a bit of a fiddly job.