Originally Posted by
FBinNY
Keep in mind that hub bearings come in 2 general classes, the angular contact traditional cop/cone bearings which need to be adjusted for absolutely zero play, and radial contact typical of cartridge bearings, which should be left with a bit of axial play (radial play is not adjustable).
The goal is to end up with correct adjustment for either design after the QR is tightened, so you start just slightly (very slightly) looser to allow for some compression of the hollow axle.
Cup and cone bearings require a small amount of play when off the bike that goes away when the QR is closed. The bearings should be adjusted so that is a small amount of preload on them when the QR is clamped.
Nutted axles should have the preload before they are installed because the axle is not compressed.