I am replacing all 4 balljoints on a 1990 Civic Ex. What I would like to know is the proper tightening procedure. Since it's a tapered fit, do I tighten them past the specs and then loosen and retighten? How to tell if they are seated? Thanks.

The top balljoint you will need a special tool to do. This is what most shops use to put on a camber kit for you. You might be able to get away with doing the bottom with no special tool but im not 100% positive.:confused:

I think I used the wrong terminology in the last post. After I get new balljoints installed in the knuckle and get new control arms, how do I tell they are correctly reassembled on the car with the balljoint properly seated into the tapered mating part? Do I stop as soon as I reach the specified torque? Thanks.

I'm pretty sure you stop at the specified torque.