Originally Posted by
sysrq
The only reason for misalignment I see is centering the wheel between the chainstays and seatstays, it won't stay in the center naturally (as usual). There hasn't been any water or rain near the bike. Maybe metallic particles from the pawls and engagement ring got past the seals due to overgreasing noisy freehub?
Independent of the bearing issues this situation would make me stop and figure out why.
Back to bearings- There are well made hubs and less so using the same design elements. There are better grades of bearings, and less so, of the same dimensional spec. As mack_turtle said get the bearing spec number (usually molded onto the seal) and replace with the best (non ceramic) you can source. Install using proper techniques and go ride the bike. If the QC of the hub (or some other production issue) is poor the new ones will feel rough soon enough.
I very much doubt that metal chips have gotten past the seals. But when you remove the bearings and expose the internals you'll see easily what the insides look like. Andy