elementary

I'm having trouble getting my bottom bracket set up nicely. There seems to be a very fine line between it being too tight - restricting the cranks, and too loose - cranks wobble and creak.
Is this normal? And I mean real fine line, like 10 degrees turn between unmovable cranks and looseness.
[I guess it's an old style one. separate pieces on either side, cup with lockring...
??
cheers

sydney

If you have bearings in retainers are they oriented right?

elementary

they are in retainers, and i was wondering about that.
which way is correct?

sydney

Depends on the number of bearings. Easy way is ditch the retainer and fill up the empty space with whatever additional bearing it takes.

Retro Grouch 

Usually the retainer goes to the outside. If there are any pits on the cones you won't be able to get a smooth adjustment that doesn't wobble.

If you decide to replace the retainer with loose balls, be sure to get the exact same size balls. If the size is even a little bit off you will have width adjustment problems. Fill the race until it looks like just one more ball will almost fit.