Originally Posted by
laura*
With the wheel out of the bike, push and pull the axle laterally. You should be able to feel it move ever so slightly.
Someplace online (Sheldon's site I think) it was suggested to adjust the bearings with a QR compressing the axle. In this case you'd adjust for no play in the bearings. I thread some spare locknuts on the very tips of the axle for the QR to push against. This leaves the regular locknut(s) free to turn. (Note - I'm still new to doing this. None of the hubs I've adjusted this way have been ridden much yet.)
You've pretty much covered it, laura. You do it by feel. If the bearings are smooth and tight, back the cones off just a little so that the axle can rock slightly in the hub. The easiest way to accomplish it is to adjust the bearings so that the wheel moves freely when you spin wheel. The lock nuts should be against the cones but the one you removed for the hub service shouldn't be tighten down fully yet. Turn the cones back against the lock nuts (loosen them) and the hub should be loose enough. As an added benefit, the lock nut will be set so as not to loosen while riding.
Slightly means just that. It should be just noticeable.