John, It's not simply a case of lapping - to my understanding it's the position of the pinion in terms of how far into the the meshing gear it's positioned either shimmed out of mesh or reduced shimming to provide the float required with no shimming allowing the pinion further into the drive surface.(depending on bevel box)
These gears seem to be not positioned correctly for the required float but then how adjustable are they anyway
Has anyone blued up the two gears and adjusted in anyway for even wear along the tooth.?