9" help

[Pete M]

After wheelin' at Rorp a while back, I noticed an odd jingling noise coming from the rear of the truck and found the little pinion ring plate (or whatever it's called) loose. Then I noticed that the pinion moves just an tiny bit independent of the pinion nut (and that can't be a good thing). I didn't really have the time or all the tools to do anything about it at the campground, so I ignored it and removed the rear driveshaft (I was flat-towing it home).
Any guesses as to what's up with this stupid 9"? My only guess so far is that on the trail I somehow crushed the crush sleeve more and now it's crushed too much. (driveshaft too long?) But before I start tearing into it, I'm looking for more opinions. Heck, I still need to track down in inch-lb torque wrench again. (I dealt with the stupid crush sleeve years ago when I needed to repace the pinion seal)
Thanks,
--Pete

[Yetti]

I was wondering what you hit in order to knock of the "slinger" that gaurds the seal? thats the thing you loosened up. secondly if the crush sleeve got recrushed from the front then you may have broken out the bearing support in the pinion extenstion. if you plan to tear it down remove the 5 bolts and inspect the casting to see if its broken.

[Pete M]

Don't know what I hit. I stayed away from the rock gardens, but there are still plenty of logs and what-not on the trails.