Bullpoop. If the taper is too small, the taper won't grab, either because it is too small and goes all the way through, or else because it'll pull down so far that the nut will bottom out on the stud BEFORE touching the steering arm. When either of these two things happen, one cannot torque the nut to 80 lb-ft.

It's not that easy to torque to 80 lb-ft without a really solid tapered fit. Heck, I've had to chisel off more than one nut because the taper wouldn't hold when trying to remove a rusted-on nut.

But if you want to live in fear.....

R.