Pinion nut torque can be used as a final adjustment on preload and turning torque. This applies to solid spacers as well as crush sleeves, which should not be used in a performance application.
How is the preload affected by torque when the yoke bottoms on the pinion shoulder? Once the yoke bottoms on the pinion shoulder, further tightening won't preload the bearings any more...you can keep tightening the nut until the threads fail and the bearing preload will stay the same.
