GQ Swivel Hub Pre load confusion

G’day.

I’m hoping for some advice.

I’m about to start rebuilding my swivel hubs and just want to make sure I’m on the right track before starting.

I’ve read Mudrunners excellent how to and will be following that. The exception is after looking around a bit more I was going to try and set the preload on the swivel hub with scales because many years back I had a bad shudder and went to a few mechanics chasing a fix. I seem to remember that one of them may have taken out some shims. So I’d just like to check. It has driven well since though and done around 150,000 km like this.

The confusion is the pre load setting.

Superior Engineering - A pull scale is helpful in setting up the shims on a knuckle.
By increasing the shims above and below the knuckle the knuckle becomes tighter.
When installing new knuckle bearings we recommend checking the shims with a pull scale.
Attach the pull scale on the steering arm with the tie rod/drag link removed and the felt on the
backside of the knuckle not yet installed.
The knuckle should not move until about 15 lbs of force is applied to the steering arm.

Mudrunners Thread - The pull test was using the original shims of .5mm & this gave 950 grams resistance.
This setting of 950g felt way to light to me by hand, yes it's within specs of .5 to 1.5kg ,

Am I missing something?

I was also going to lightly sand and paint the balls. Would etching and painting build up the surface too much. Or just a coat of Rust guard epoxy enamel be right?

Cheers