It sounds like possibly your shims between the housing and the front pinion bearing may not be completely flat and you aren't getting the front bearing seated completely forward. Then as you tighten the retainer bolts, it's compressing the shims more and messing with the space between the rear bearing and pinion. I would pull the pinion back out and recheck the shims.


Kevin
1951 Chevy 3100 work truck
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1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car)
Busting rust since the mid-60's
If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.