while stripping my 8.5 I thought I would try measuring pinion depth without the correct tool, I laid a straight edge across the flats where bearing caps sit and measured distance to pinion face, 2.512 from memory. I determined the parting line to be 10 thou off centre line, so added to initial dimension = 2.522 . I had .034 shim behind pinion which should have been .044 assuming my measurments are correct! I also had .008 backlash, this is after thousands of miles, burnouts and some quarter mile action, it never whined either. Does this mean that I was lucky or does 10 thou just not matter that much? In England the rear end guy wants $500+ to set it up so I will have to do it myself. Is it a bad idea to us loctite on the outer race of A9 wheel bearings?
