Abstract: A method of producing ball joints of the type that include a ball and stem member pivotally mounted in a housing, the method comprising forming separate stem portions and ball portions and joining the portions at welded junctions to provide pivot members of composite construction. Such pivot members are characterized by relatively large ball diameters as compared to the shank diameters so as to provide a high degree of angularity of movement.

Abstract: A method of producing ball joints of the type that include a ball and stem member pivotally mounted in a housing, the method comprising forming the ball stud or pivoted member by heading a work-piece to provide an enlarged head portion that forms a first section of the spherical bearing surface of the ball stud, and by next forming a second head portion from a second work-piece that provides a second section of the spherical bearing surface of the ball stud. The two formed work-pieces are next welded together at confronting surfaces to provide a fused junction and the junction and spherical surface is next machined to provide the finished bearing head of spherical contour.