torque specs questions

[coffeedart67]

Began putting the front suspension back together, took the brake backing plates off of the spindles. Found torque specs in service manual and Haynes manual. 100foot lbs for the ball joint to spindle bolts and 55 foot lbs for the spindle backing plate bolts. Does that sound right? What confused me is they where calling these bolts (in both manuals)steering knuckle upper and lower bolts. Also can I torque the ball joint taper nuts with the weight off of the suspension. What parts are critical that I have the weight on the wheels to torque?

Thanks
Aaron

 

[67Dart273]

So long as the BJ tapers don't try and turn when you tighten them, weight or not should not matter.

Only ones, offhand that I like to tighten after car is on the ground are the two nuts for the lower LCA pivot bushing shafts. This then "holds" the bushings in the area where they operate with weight.

Also search for alignment threads on here. Generally, if you are running modern radial tires, you do NOT want to run "by the book" caster/ camber settings.