Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a multiple part ball stud that is press fit together and then assembled with a ball socket. The ball socket is ultrasonically welded to a ball joint housing, and the ball joint housing is assembled to a heated link to form a strong mechanical joint therebetween. The weld joint between the ball socket and the housing is positioned near the bottom of the ball socket, away from high stress areas of the housing. An annular seal is adhered between an inwardly facing portion of the housing and an outwardly facing portion of the ball stud to heremetically seal the joint.

Abstract: A composite link comprising a fiber reinforced composite tube, an end fitting on each end of the tube and layers of resin impregnated fiber wound over the end fittings and tube. The fiber is laid in a primary layer formed by winding longitudinally over the end fittings and a secondary layer wound transversely around the primary layer and the tube. The tube, fitting and layers of fiber are encased in a layer of shield material such as paint or a polymer, for example.

Abstract: A composite link includes a fiberglass body. The body is formed by coating glass fibers with a liquid resin and winding the fibers around a plurality of end pieces or bushings. The end pieces have transition sections for smoothly changing the shape of the composite link and the path of the fibers. The fibers are wound in two layers, a first extending longitudinally of the body and the second transversely and around the first. A shield layer is placed over the fiberglass body.