lower ball joint torque?

[flyboytroy99]

I've installed new ball joints. My shop manual lists two different torque values for connecting the lower ball joint to the spindle or as they call it "steering knuckle". In one part it says 40 ft/lbs. and another says 45 ft/lbs. I talked to Dennis at OGTS and his manual says 54 ft/lbs. That's a 14 ft/lbs difference and seems pretty significant to me. Anybody have any idea what I should torque these nuts to? And before anybody starts, I know how bad that last sentence sounded!
Thanks, Troy

[RallyBob]

Per the 1973 FSM:

Lower ball joint to steering knuckle (GT and Manta): 54 lb. ft.
Upper ball joint to steering knuckle (GT): 29 lb. ft.
Upper ball joint to steering knuckle (Manta): 40 lb. ft.

[GTJIM]

1969 FSM says 40 lbs-ft
AutoBook 727 says 45 lbs-ft
Brookland Books says 45 lbs-ft
.. for the Lower Ball Joint

I think it is more important to have the taper clean, oil free and seated squarely. With the later 'nylock nut' units that do not have a cotter pin a dab of blue Loctite on the threads ONLY (not on the taper!) is a good idea.

There does seem to be some confusion as to the exact torque value - I wonder if later replacement units required higher torque values ... or if there has been a transposing of numbers mis-print in the 1973 FSM?

Just another "Opel Torque Value" challenge .......