[Wbulk]

The crush sleeve or solid shim between the bearings is just to set the bearing pre-load of 10-15 inch lbs. for used bearings, or 20-25 inch lbs. for new bearings. It is measured without the ring gear engaged and with a lubed seal. Some people leave the seal out until they have the pre-load just right using an old nut. The inch lbs. is the force required to turn the yoke in the arch, not the force to get it moving, that will be higher. The 175 lbs. torque stated for the nut in manuals is supposed to be to crush the sleeve. It is a lot easier to get the crush started with a press and crush it down to within
.100 or so of the old sleeve.