Any good ways to set the Pre-load on the pinion without a dial indicator?
Im no expert but if your pinion had play even after tighten up the yoke nut ...yep your bearings were probably fucked.
Keep the same shim you had originally on your d30 pinion gear. It should work ok or be close. I have extras if you need some.
you don't check the preload with a dial indicator... you need a fancy torque wrench to put on your Yoke nut.
You set your back slash with a dial indicator... PA has some cheapos that do the trick. Verify what the spec should be when your gears are worn.
like I said...i'm no expert ...please correct me if im wrong