Trying to remove the screws that hold the bearing retainers on. *trying* these screws are in there so tight none of them are coming out. All that I have tried are getting stripped. I don't want to continue and strip out the Philip heads even more.

Is there a trick to getting these out? Heat? I'm using a impact tool. The one you hit with a hammer.

IMHO, you need an impact screwdriver for screws like this.  Maybe too late this go around, but will stop thus from happening next time

I was using the screwdriver impact tool. The tool that you hit with a hammer to loosen or tighten a screw.

I got all of them out with the use of heat and the impact screwdriver. I was getting scared for awhile. Those screws were in there good.

Thanks for the fast reply guys. Im sure I'll have more questions in the very near future. I have to yank out this bad crank.