Nine inch pinion pre load question.

[widowmaker77]

I’m about to start my nine inch re gear to 4:56 and I have a question about setting the pinion preload. I’m going to try to use a crush sleeve because that’s what I have in my kit. Everything I’ve read says to set preload without the pinion seal in but how does that work with a crush sleeve? Because I've also read your not suppose to remove the pinion nut and then reuse the crush sleeve. I understand if I had a solid spacer this wouldn’t be an issue.

 

[SteveL]

Solid spacer is better. Do initial set up with old pinion nut. When you're ready to mail it down use the new one.

 

[widowmaker77]

Thanks. I set it with the crush sleeve but I’ve decided to redo it with a solid spacer.

 

[ntsqd]

In the past I've used the crush sleeve to get my initial solid spacer/shim stack dimension really close. Mic the crush sleeve after removing it. With the load off of it, it has likely grown just a little, but it should be pretty close.