ok so you say you need new axle bearings, if you do this they will last forever.
do you ride in creeks and big mud holes, if so before you put new bearings in.
the new bearings you get are a sealed bearing, take a 1/8 drill bit put 3 small holes
in the seal on the bearing on both sides and try to make them off set from each other.
just go through the seal,
then drill a hole in bearing carrier between the  adjuster bolts, put a grease fitting in there.
try to pack carrier with grease before you put back together. now you can grease your bearings
anytime you run through water, this will help keep them lubed and they will last a very long time.
you should be able to push your quad very easy, if you have to put effort in it then your bearing are bad
this is a easy way to tell, once you change bearings you will know what i am talking about. one finger can push
my quads across the floor,