Originally Posted by
oddjob2
... the bearings must have been 5/32 because they were smaller than front wheel bearings. ... I've dropped parts...
+1 on all this, but it normally isn't good to see "5/32 bearings" and "dropped" in the same posting.
Unless they are covered with grease they scatter like bugs and hide under the furniture. (A mechanic's magnet is your friend.)
As RB said, the usual rule of thumb is to fill the space then remove one. It may seem like one is missing but that gives them space to move.