8-3/4 hard to turn the wheels

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.

no, it is not a bearing, it is a button shaped coin in the middle of the center section that pushed on the drivers side axle when you are adjusting the preload with the passenger side axle adjuster. May not be the problem if Cass has confirmed the contents of the components inside the center. Just throwing it out there!