Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint, especially a wheel guide joint for motor vehicles is provided with a housing (1), in the cavity (2) of which, which is open on at least one side, a bearing shell (3) is inserted with a joint ball (4) mounted therein. The bearing shell (3) forms a assembly unit (3,4) together with the joint ball (4) accommodated therein. The assembly unit is displaceable in the cavity (2) along a axis (6). A first collar (7) and a second collar (8), between which a limited free path (5) of the displaceable assembly unit (3, 4) is defined, form end stops in the cavity (2) of the housing (1). The bearing shell (3) is a accomodated in the cavity (2) under a slight radial pretension and at least one compensating element (15) is arranged between the bearing shell (3) and the inner surface of the cavity (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a ball joint, especially a wheel guidance joint for motor vehicles. Said ball joint comprises a housing (1) with a cavity (2) that is open to at least one side. A bearing shell (3) that accommodates a ball (4) is inserted in said cavity. The bearing shell (3) can be displaced, together with the ball (4) that it receives, in the cavity (2) along an axis (6). A first shoulder (7) and a second shoulder (8) define end stops in the cavity (2) of the housing (1), a limited free trajectory (5) of the displaceable bearing shell (3) being defined between said two stops. The inventive joint is further characterized in that the bearing shell (3) is mounted in the cavity (2) under the effect of a gentle radial pretension. At least one compensating element (15) is arranged between the outer surface of the bearing shell (3) and the inner surface of the cavity (2).