Here is a picture of what I'm referring to as the bearing spread. Notice the black section (I will get to that in a second) between the bearings. That is about 1.5 inches in length and machined out of 4130 for a slip fit over the snout.
If you don't have a proper designed sleeve(black section)between the bearings then problems will arise, let along not running one. The sleeve must be designed to a specific torque spec relative to the operating temperature of the hub body itself. This will account for the difference in expansion rates of the Alum hub body and the steel based components. Also note the full spline engagement of the lock nut on the snout.

If you don't have a proper designed sleeve(black section)between the bearings then problems will arise, let along not running one. The sleeve must be designed to a specific torque spec relative to the operating temperature of the hub body itself. This will account for the difference in expansion rates of the Alum hub body and the steel based components. Also note the full spline engagement of the lock nut on the snout.