New Rear Wheel Bearing Seal Way Too Tight

I just replaced my rear wheel bearings on both sides and the axels (factory 8.8) are really really difficult to slide back in. It is to the point I don't think the axel can be fully seated. I am not sure if I set the seal to deep where it is compressing the inner ring some how (that even possible?). This happened on both driver and passenger side with the same parts. I am 99.9% sure I have the right seal but for the life of me can't figure out why the axels are so hard to get back in. I slide the seal over the axel before installing and it fit nice but after install it is way to tight.

I am confident the bearings are seated all the way... can't figure it out.

Anyone else experienced this?


Thanks for any insight!