a couple of " anyway to fix this problem " questions

[BrianG]

The first problem sounds like bearing slop like BLboy16 suggested. If the pillowballs are tight and the tire is fully seated on the hex, then that's the only explanation I can think of.

For the second problem, is this the same tire as problem #1? If not, and everythign feels tight, I wonder if the end of the shaft is bent a little.