Originally Posted by
badamsjr
+1 I do this. Only loosen one side cone/lock nut. After cleaning everything, put grease in both sides (cups). Insert axle about halfway, and put bearings in the side where the cone/lock nut are on the axle. After installing the correct number of balls, push axle in all the way, to hold balls in place. Turn wheel so that the axle without cone/lock nut are up, and install the correct number of balls in that side. Install cone/lock nut on that side. Adjust cones (using 'three wrench method'), then tighten lock nut. Done!
Three wrenches work, but you need three hands! (I've done plenty of hubs this way, BTW.) A better method is a bench vise and a pair of cone wrenches- but make sure the adjustment is correct after you take the wheel out of the vise.