Sounds like you didn't read the shop manual before you disassembled. You were supposed to mark the nut and flange location and measure the preload, then install with those specs. Now you know for the next one you do.

Torque on the pinion nut is about 180 ft-lb, but you can't go there again without replacing the crush sleeve. Preload on the used bearing is 5-15 inch-lb. Install nut and tighten to remove end play. alternate between tightening and checking pre-load torque, until pre-load value is reached.


Fred
52 3600
69 C-10