ok I tried what you all suggested however Iam a bit stumped at this pooint.
I'm not sure if I have the wrong crush sleeve, the new ones i have happen to be used, or maybe for some reason have a different rear end? maybe a medium duty? Maybe I got the wrong rebuild kit? (dont think this is the problem as everything seems to fit together - besides the pinon preloading issue.
Problem iam having is with the pinon assembly. I removed the seal, put the oil slinger back on and then installed the new seal. I put a new (or what i thought was new) crush sleeve on, the yoke and then tightened it down until i had almost no movement along the pinon itself.. however the pinon holder spins almost freely with almost no resistance... I have cranked down on the pinon nut (over 150lbs) and it wont tighten. so this leads me to believe for whatever reason the cush seeve is either the wrong one or is used. The thing is i had or had two brand new ones... they both act the same way.
I have been really careful putting everything back together. The bearings are in the proper orientation, the seal is on good, the crush sleeve is int he proper place on the pinon and I cleaned everything really well.. but i cannot preload the pinon no matter what I try.
Right now iam going to order another crush sleeve. maybe for whatever reason mine is wrong or was used.. it came in a kit so i find that a bit far fetched but stranger things have happened. I have included a few pics from tonight including the rear tag for the axle.. any ideas?
The ford shop books approach it a bit differently. I would be happy to scan the pages in if that would help but I assume one ford 9 inch is the same as the next so its not like there is something so special about mine that it wouldn't work like everyone elses...

Just test fitting...



1976 Bronco "Green, Yellow, whatever", 1969 Bronco "Red", 1972 Bronco Stocker "Kind of Blue/Grayish"