I took all those pretty pictures just for you and you didn't even try what I said. You are going to hurt my feelings.

When we are talking about the step, are we both referring to the side with the ridge that has the smaller outer diameter? Rather than the side that is completely flat all the way across?

Because if you consider how the bearings are, and how the step washers are supposed to be, you will see that they _must_ bind the bearing if they are on with the completely flat side toward the bearing, and with the _step_ side toward the bearing, they cannot.

This is why I am sure there is something else wrong.

If you do what I suggested in the picture post above and assure me that the head is assembled correctly, I will tell you how to adjust the pitch correctly too. But if you ignore my suggestions (as is your perfect right, after all) then perhaps someone else will be willing to help you do it your way.