So turns out the spacer can only go in one way and still have the wheel turn so that didnt have anything to do with it, whats an easy way to check the neck bearings? And should i be considering the forks? Maybe its time to change the fork oil or seals, ive never done it and ive had the bike about 15k

 

OPush the bike forward on a gripping surface and pull in the front brake quickly. If you feel a clunk or slack in the steering that's your steering column bearings having slack.

What order did you out the front axle together? Doing it wrong makea your fork tubes bend a little bit hindering the operation of the shocks which could cause the bike wanting to veer off.

 

I did what you suggested and when grabbing the brake i hear a clunk both while the nose is diving and about to bottom out and when it is returning up to rest, i take it thats the bearing slack, is it something i can tighten? Everything seems tight but looks can be deceiving. And it appears i would need a special tool...?

Secondly when i removed the axle i loosened the nut side pinch bolts first, loosened the nut, then the axle side pinch bolts, it was pretty difficult to get out so i had to tap it with a hammer, i put it back in reverse order, i didnt have a large enough socket for the axle bolt so its about as tight as i could make it with a wrench, not to spec, but the pinch bolts are, there is no sideways play in the wheel and it spins freely.

 

It could be loose but I'd bet the bearings are shot. Mine was loose before but only because I forgot to tighten after a build.

 

Ok, they are cheap enough ill just go ahead and get a pair, does it take a special tool to get them out? And im assuming i need the wheel off the ground..? Seems a little strange they are out at the same time the wheels went out.