Usually, these are BB cups or arm bolts that are not tightened enough. The previous owner has not tightened them enough and you just follow the path, scared of overtightening.
Could they be tightened too much? I have the axle and bearings removed cup seemed tightened pretty tight.
All the ones I relubed before I tightened them just enough so there was no no play in the axle but they
still turn freely