Shimming rear axle and checking end play?!?

[znowybird]

so I have a ford 4610 and just replaced the rear bearings and seals. I didn't have a dial indicator and didn't have a pack of shims and going on a dealer telling me that I'd probably be alright i just went ahead and did it. The job wasn't hard but after putting it back together i got myself a small leak at the axle. with planting season coming up i don't want this problem to get out of control as the last leak was.

I only replaced the bearings b\c the local shop said that if the seal was leaking it was probably bearing failure. Is this always the case? Man those bearing looked to be in good shape. Could it just have needed the end play adjusted and the seal changed after years of use?

My questions:
can i buy a shim pack from a machinists store for use here opposed to using fords? As i am not sure what shims i am going to need in the end and I can't wait on ordering parts for a week to get it up and running.

I plan to take it back out and go through and check the end play with a dial indicator as the shop manual instructs. It is a difference of a washer from 2.4mm to 1.4mm. Hard to believe the problem is in that.

I believe i torqued to 250ft/lbs but could this also be the problem?

Do these washers wear?

THanks,

Adam