Abstract: A joint assembly is connected between two relatively movable spaced parts. The joint assembly comprises a housing and a stud to be connected to the parts. The stud is supported for rotation about its own axis relative to said housing, for free axial movement relative to said housing, and for universal pivotal movement about a point on its axis relative to said housing. A spherical bearing in a chamber in the housing has a central passage through which said stud extends. The passage in the bearing is defined by an inner surface which conforms to and engages the outer surface of the stud. A stop portion on the stud engages the bearing to limit movement of the stud axially in a direction tending to separate the stud and housing. The stud is freely movable in an unrestrained manner axially relative to the bearing between a first position in which the stop engages the bearing and a second position spaced from said bearing. Means is provided for holding the bearing against axial movement relative to the housing.

Abstract: An improved wear-indicating pivot joint includes a bearing assembly which supports a stud for both axial and rotational movement. The bearing assembly prevents sidewise tilting movement of the stud during axial and rotational movement of the stud about its own central axis. A wear take-up arrangement is provided to compensate for normal wear between a bearing surface and the stud. The wear take-up arrangement includes a spring which applies a force to a bearing member to continuously urge the bearing surface into engagement with the stud to hold the stud against sidewise tilting movement. However, upon the occurrence of excessive wear between the bearing surface and the stud, the bearing surface is ineffective to hold the stud against sidewise tilting movement to thereby signal the occurrence of excessive wear.