King pin shims

I did a search before posting this but no luck.
I am setting the preload on the king pins after installing new bearings and races. In order to get #15 of pull I end up with no shims at all. Is this something to worry about? I did double check the bearing races to be certain they are seated fully. So far I have only done the right side. I do not have any VIN# so I don't know if I have an early or later model axle.

 

Did you leave the seals off? IIRC preload is set without seals.

 

Yes, that is without the seals installed.

 

I read that the earlier CJ's had a lower preload spec. I am thinking about adding a shim or two and setting it for 10-12#. I also noticed that at 15# the bearings feel notchy when moving the knuckle back and forth. So I am also hoping the lower preload will help with the bearing feel. I also measured the difference between the height of the new and old bearing races, there was only a 0.003 difference. Yes the bearings are packed with grease.

 

Well it has been a little while but I installed 0.009 worth of shims in both king pins and I still have 9#-10# of pull (without seals) and the bearings feel much better (notchy feeling all but gone). I am going to stay with this set up. I also came across another write up in the Binder Bulletin web site on rebuilding the IH Dana 27. IH used a bronze bushing and a splined upper king pin, very interesting to see the differences. I also noted no mention of running spindle studs.