would this cause fork judder? its a hope hs fitted by 18 bikes 6.5 years ago. i have dropped it in rivers and all sorts since then – i assumed my fork bushes were shot…the races were very gravelly too

when i say loose the top one is a lovely finger push fit, whereas there appears to be radial clearance on the lower one

Maybe, worn fork bushes more likely, replace bearings and find out?

Take it apart.

FWIW I had a problem where I couldn’t work it out, turned out that the cup had cracked.

Surely when preloaded and claped tight with the stem the bearing is held in place by the angular contact faces not the snuggness of fit?

Is the cup loose in the frame?

turn the forks 90deg, does it still have play. if so, its the headset.

I’ve just resolved this problem, it was the front rotor.

Fork bushings would be a likely candidate. I’ve had that problem before with some new Rock Shox forks.