Wheel bearing help...

[trac209]

Ok here's my dilemma of what is going on,I was tracking down a what I thought was upper ball joints and after replacing those I noticed my wheel bearings seemed to be causing the issue. They were a bit loose,washer was floating around and nut was loose but cotters was there. This is most likely my fault since I put the new bearings in few years back and didn't somehow set them well enough possibly. So since it's cheap insurance I bought new bearings,old ones looked mint and spindles show no wear.

So even after I installed new bearings using the tighten nut while spinning tire I always used in the past to seat the bearing and remove free play then backing of one flat spot of nut to put in cotter it seams washer is too tight? And yet if I back off too much the wheel has enough free play I can feel it. I had a shop press in the races so I know that's not the issue. Wheel spins nicely and doesn't make any noises. Thanks for any input.