Someone on these forums a while ago gave me a tip for overhauling hubs that I think makes it much easier:

Regrease bearings. Tension bearings so you can feel the play but not see it. The bearings hsould be silky smooth at that tension. Install wheel and tighten quick release. With the wheel on the bike and the release tight, there should be no lateral play in the wheel, if there is, simply try tightening the release just a touch. Having a quick-release actually makes the bearing adjustment easier!