Any question answered...

Riddle me this:

• PF30 BB shell
  
• Wheels MFG PF30 BB
  
• Installed a BB30 crankset
  
• Axle is too short (104mm) to be used in this application (I believe), which over-compressed the bearings - it certainly destroyed the bearing shields when tightened to spec, and the cranks would not rotate
  
• It worked perfectly without any bearing shields
  
• I got a slightly longer axle and thinner bearing shields, installed it all, fine
  
• But then the "crack/crack/crack" of doom started
  
• Pulled axle, bearings felt gritty when rotating the inner race
  
• Knocked out bearings with screwdriver and hammer
  
• Now they feel perfect- butter smooth. They're ceramic, also
  
  

Questions:

1. WTF?
   
2. Do I press these bearings back in, or are they FUBAR? (They feel fine).