Wylyetom, Yeah, I noticed this on the full width cast hubs, it looks wrong dosen't it? I think the circlip is just to stop the dust cover falling out The bearing will eventually rest on the shoulder of the spindle if you continue to drive it in. There is certainly no spacer shown in the manual as far as I can see so I don't really know? Someone more knowlegeable than me will comment I'm sure!
With regard to the forks, I tend to leave averything loose then sit on the bike and with the front brake on compress and release the suspension and shake the bars until it all looks settled and straight, and then tighten up.