Abstract: A ball joint includes an inner layer of a fiber-reinforced plastic resin and an outer layer of a self-lubricating plastic resin substantially covering the inner layer. A spherical inner chamber in the outer layer slidably holds a ball portion of a ball stud. A stud portion of the ball stud projects from the spherical inner chamber for connection to an external device. A link rod having first and second ball joints at distal ends of a rod portion is also disclosed. The link rod and housings of the first and second ball joints include inner and outer layers as above. In one embodiment, the link rod includes a metallic rod embedded at each end in the plastic resin of rod portions affixed to respective ball joints.