Originally Posted by
sysrq
It's not a quick disconnect model. After repeated testing there is also some axial play.
If there is no preload tube between smallest outboard bearing and two bigger inboard bearings then the adjustment will affect only the outboard bearing.
The radial play is felt only around inboard bearings but not around outboard bearing.
First of all, you need to understand a critical difference between the adjustable angular bearings classic to bicycle.
Angular bearings require preload to eliminate play. In radial bearings that's achieved in the bearing itself. These bearings cannot tolerate axial preload, which leads to rapid bearing failure. Radial bearings are used where no meaningful axial loads are expected, so one adjusts to minimize axial play, short of adding an axial preload.
I suspect the pedals are fine, and the issue is your misconceptions and expectations.