^^ sounds like bushings, IME you can’t really feel worn bearings in this way (unless they’re really f*cked).
Expose them and put the tip of your index finger in the bearing ID and rotate your wrist 90o back and forth to see if they’re notchy, either way, prize the seals off and repack with grease (ebay morris k99 grease) until they’re smooth.
Saying that though bearing extraction its the only thing I really CBA doing myself. I’ve faffed for too long with home-made blind bearing extractors, screwdrivers / hammers / etc and for the sake of £40 (drop if off doing into work, pick it up on the way back) its better for my blood pressure too 😳