The axles can be done during the winter, I have a car cruise to go to tomorrow night. Bearings aren't just a 1/2 hour job like the front wheels. The retainers have to be cut off then the bearings pessed off and new one pressed on then end play has to be set. Right now, I can slide them back in, 10 nuts, 10 lugnuts and I'm driving to the car show.
Mike, I was just cruising home doing the speed limit down 70, 65-75mph, I got off to get gas. As I pull to a pump very slowly, I notice creaking sounds from my rear wheels. I knew my brakes were good so I figured that it had to be the bearings. I checked them when I greased them last year, so what else could it be? I pulled the axles to take home and everything checked out okay. It had to be my trim rings creaking on the wheels.