Calling all 12-Bolt experts

[1oldtruck]

O.K., this is my first axle rebuild but I think I've studied and researched enough that I'm pretty confident in what I'm doing. The problem is that I can't seem to pull the front (small) pinion bearing up enough to contact the crush sleeve. I've got a brand new Richmond ring/pinion set and brand new Timken bearings. Shouldn't the front bearing be a slip fit onto the shaft? I test fitted the bearing with a press and it goes on easily but of course, must be removed to assemble the rear end. Both the new and old bearings slide with ease over the old shaft but not on the new shaft. I polished the shaft with emery cloth to remove the phosphate coating and it helped a bit but not enough. Should this be a slip fit or a very slight interference fit? Should I keep polishing? Do I have a bad ring and pinion?

Thanks in advance for any helpful comments!

Mike