Mountain Biking - Hub Trouble

I don't exactly know how to explain this but I'll try. I have Shimano Disc hubs on my bike and the other day I felt play in them. So I took my QR out and inspected the hub. I could move the bolt that the QR goes through, back and forth (only like 1mm but it is play). So I tightened the two nuts on both sides of the bolt not knowing what I was doing. Then I figured out that bolt needs to spin so I obviously couldn't tighten them to the point where they didn't spin. So then I set them pretty much to where they were in the first place. But then my hub barely spun. It felt like something was holding it back. Knowing that there was ball bearings in the hub, I figured something was wrong inside. So I took it all apart and carefully removed the bolt. I had it over a bucket so if i did drop a ball, it would catch them. When the bolt was out it looked like I was missing some balls. I only had 6 on each side, but it looked like it could hold 10 on each side. Is it supposed to look like its missing some? I had never taken my hub apart before so i didn't loose them. If it is supposed to be like that, how do I set my hub back to normal? I know i have to put the bolt back in and tighten the nuts. But I dont know where the nuts are supposed to be. All the way in? This may be confusing but I don't know enough about hubs to explain it better.

Put everything back in where you found it and make sure you use grease for the ball bearings. It is then a matter of playing with the tightness of the "nuts" on the outside, known as cones, until there is no play but the hub still spins freely. As for the amount of ball bearings, it's probably normal but im not 100% sure.

Ya I have some "Ritchey Bearing Grease" that Im going to put on it. Hope that will do it other than playing around with the cones (I learned something today) Thanks

So im guessing you know how to pack bearings? Also, use cone spanners on the cones if youve got them, otherwise use shifting spanners.

Oh ya, forgot to ask..what is the best way to apply the grease?

Ok, there are round things the bearings were sitting in, these are called bearing races. Just put some grease on your finger, more is better, and apply over the whole race so it overs it. Then just pop the ball bearings in one after the other and they should stay where they are because of the grease. If they don't the grease isnt thick enough or there isnt enough. Once all the ball bearings are back in, you're done. Then simply put your axel (if you took it out) and QR back in and get playing with those cones.

Well for Christmas I got a bike tool kit by Dimension, and there is a bunch tools I have no idea what they are used for. Im guessing the dozen "wrench" type tools are spanners. And im guessing that packing bearings is applying grease to them and setting them in the "slot", and ya I know how to do that.

Wow..Im learning a bunch today. Theres a problem with the putting my finger in my hub...my fingers are too big for the whole. Or am I missing something and i should take another piece off to open it up some more?

Nah, that sounds right to me. Just use your little finger or even a chopstick or something. Just get 'em back in there! If it's bearing grease, it should be perfect for the job.

If you got a bike toolkit it should have cone spanners, otherwise its not a worthy bike tool kit! Here's a pic of one incase you don't know what they look like.

Ya those are them, but i have a ton because mine are single sided with handle grips.

Good, that means you'll have one that fits your cones. Now get to work and if you have any more questions just ask! Tell us how you went when you're done.

Thanks, you've been a ton of help.

Noooooo worries ;)

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_hub.shtml

Or that, probably a lot more clear than my instructions.