questions setting up my 742 (again)

thanks, I have a set of checking bearings that I am using for the pinion.
Now this is making more sense to set the depth first. I just ran a pattern and the pinion is too deep on the ring gear, So that means I would have to take shim out to get the pinion back right? Well I did that and now I have no pre load whatsoever even though I have no shims on the yoke side. When I do get my pinion depth right with no shims on the yoke side then how do I get my pre load right?