Thanks mech, I have the bearing retainers like #2 so they are properly oriented. I swapped the split ring and the metal ring that has a downward facing collar that seems to fit snug between the bearings and the steerer. the split ring also seems to fit into the conical inner neck of the metal ring and I guess it keeps the metal ring centered around the steerer without actually rubbing metal-on-metal against it... does that make any sense? Not sure if its a new design but haven't seen it anywhere else.