7.25 axel new pinion bearings set up

If you were just changing the bearings and not the gears you should not have had to change the pinion depth. You might have to add or subtract shims to get the pinion bearing preload correct. Not sure how the backlash is adjusted, but I would put the pinion depth shim that came out back in and adjust the backlash. There is a standard measurement from the center of the carrier bearing housing to the pinion for pinion depth. I do have a universal depth gauge, but have not tried it on a 7 1/4" rear. If I don't have the adapters in my depth kit, I try to start with the removed shim from the old gear set to start.