If it was working fine before you pulled the fork I don't think the bearings are compressed. It sounds like you over tightened the headset a little too much. Just loosen the headset connection and get it hand tight if it is a threaded and if threadless then turn the screw on the top cap until you get resistence. Now turn the handlebars to the side where the wheel is pointing acorss the frame and act like you are pulling the bars off the stem. Do this back and forth. Does it wobble? If so continue to tighten until this does not happen. Then rotate the bars is the fork stiff? If so check the way the bearings are seated in the races. With threadless typically the lower set is facing up the top set is facing down. Same goes for threaded. If this is not so then correct it. Did this fix it? If not consult your LBS.