you have to have some play,try concentrating on getting the tonearm to glide smoothly across the platter.dont worry about putting the bearing cover on at this point,if you over tighten you will see how the tonearm responds,it wont be a smooth gentle swing.very small adjustments are needed,slightly too loose is better than slightly too tight.
you should be able to lightly blow on the arm and it should travel across the platter with ease and with no sticking.
My System
John Wood KT88 Amp.
Paradise Phono Stage
Sony TTS-8000 Turntable.
PMAT-1010 MK6 Tonearm.
Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
Sony X555ES Cd Player
Yamaha NS1000m Speakers