Pinion bearing preload is the tension placed on the pinion gear’s tapered bearings. A collapsible spacer is used to obtain the specified amount of pressure or preload. This spacer is placed between the bearings. Turning the pinion gear nut crushes the spacer to obtain the specified preload.
This preload prevents the sideways thrust that moves the pinion gear to the outside edge of the ring gear. It acts as a spring to counter this motion. Some heavy duty and more demanding differentials have a solid spacer instead. This type of spacer must be the appropriate size to obtain proper preload.
A collapsible spacer cannot be over-tightened and then backed off. This would leave the pinion bearings with little or no preload at all. It takes a lot of torque to turn the pinion nut and it can be tricky towards the end. Once the companion flange feels snug, turn the pinion nut in 1/8 inch increments, and then with each turn check the turning tension with an inch pound torque wrench.
Adjust the carrier side to side with the bearing caps tightened down just a little past finger tight. Once you have the adjusters snug on each side where you want the carrier, tighten down the bearing caps to 100 lbs. Now on the pass side adjust it up a little, then go around to the drivers and adjust it up a little. Properly setting preload with side adjusters There are several types of rear ends that use a threaded side adjuster be it a single adjuster or one on both sides of carrier. The most commonly known rears with this type of carrier adjustment are the Chrysler 7.25-8.25-8.75-9.25, Ford 9”, GM 8.25” IFS, Suzuki Samurai, & Toyota.