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.
Sounded like BS to me too... until I tried it.
Per Mark Williams...
4) Before installing the seal it is a good idea to check the bearing preload, even with a new assembly. Install yoke or coupler
on the pinion, install pinion nut and torque to 140 ft/lbs (if possible it is suggested to use a used pinion nut until final
assembly). Rotate the pinion with an inch/lbs. torque wrench. The rotational drag should be 7-10 in/lbs (if re-assembling a
support with used bearings the rotational drag can be 5-7 in/lbs). If the rotational drag is too low step up the pinion nut
torque in 10 ft/lbs increments and re-check the drag. Once the correct drag is achieved note the pinion nut torque.
Maximum pinion nut torque is 200 ft/lbs. If the amount of drag is too high the preload spacer is too thin and should be
replaced (new spacers will require machining).
TORQUE SPECS:
Pinion Nut 140 ft/lbs unless higher torque required per step #4 above.
