Originally Posted by SG4247

If you are re-using the same ring and pinion that was with that pumpkin, and know it was not noisy, you can skip the pinion depth measurement and just look at/adjust pinion depth based the gear contact pattern.

If you are using a different/new ring and pinion, might borrow some tools to get the pinion depth set close to the dimension marked, and then look at the gear contact pattern.

Also, Snap-on makes a nice dial torque wrench for checking bearing pre-load. See the pic. The part number I have TER1FUA.