Abstract: A blank section of a steel rod is heated and then successively impacted between hot forging dies to form a preform or rough forging ball joint socket having a tubular socket portion and a laterally projecting mounting flange portion. The rough forging is then inserted into a die set assembly including an upper die member surrounding a relatively movable punch and a lower die member surrounding a relatively movable ejector member. The upper die member is supported by a piston of a hydraulic cylinder which moves with the punch, and the upper and lower die members cooperate to produce the desired precision external configuration of the socket and flange portions. After the die members are closed, the punch cooperates with the ejector member to form the desired precision internal configuration of the tubular socket portion.

Abstract: A blank section of a steel rod is heated and then successively impacted between hot forging dies to form a preform or rough forging ball joint socket having a tubular socket portion and a laterally projecting mounting flange portion. The rough forging is then inserted into a die set assembly including an upper die member surrounding a relatively movable punch and a lower die member surrounding a relatively movable ejector member. The upper die member is supported by a piston of a hydraulic cylinder which moves with the punch, and the upper and lower die members cooperate to produce the desired precision external configuration of the socket and flange portions. After the die members are closed, the punch cooperates with the ejector member to form the desired precision internal configuration of the tubular socket portion.