How hard is it?

I disagree RRR. maybe that's why you get the noises....lol. The last set I did (like a month or two ago) the lash spec was .007 +/- .002. You couldn't feel that nor could you feel if there's any varience around the ring gear which tells you if it's on the carrier right or not.
To swap the carrier you need a dial indicator and magnetic is best. You also need a press, and either a cutoff wheel or something to remove the old bearings. I also think a rotating torque type torque wrench is important - but that could be done by feel if you didn't have one and knew what things should feel like.