8-3/4 hard to turn the wheels

Green bearings? If so did you remove the thrust button?

I think you mean the thrust bearing. ?? Anyway, I checked with the guy I bought it from, he said that on the later green bearing models you don't need to remove the thrust bearing. But now I wonder if the guy who assembled it took it out thinking they were the earlier model green bearings???? Yikes!

Have to wait till Monday to find out.

Did he remove the button or spacer in the middle of the sure grip?