Abstract: An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a housing, a bearing disposed in the housing, and a ball stud supported within the housing by the bearing. The bearing includes at least a first bearing member formed from a first material and a second bearing member formed from a second dampening material attached to at least a portion of an outer surface of the first bearing member. The first bearing member has a bidirectional slot formed therein which is configured to allow the ball stud to articulate in a first direction and restrict and dampen articulation in a second direction which is generally transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a ball joint having a housing defining an axis and a chamber having an open end. A bearing is disposed in the chamber. A ball stud having a ball portion is supported within the chamber by the bearing and a stud portion extends outwardly from the open end of the chamber. A retainer having a mounting portion is secured to the housing to retain the bearing in the chamber and an opening is formed therein through which the stud portion extends. The retainer is stamped and has a central portion configured with a dome shaped surface which extends over the open end of the chamber and is shaped complimentary to the ball portion.

Abstract: An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a housing, a bearing disposed in the housing, and a ball stud supported within the housing by the bearing. The bearing includes at least a first bearing member formed from a first material and a second bearing member formed from a second dampening material attached to at least a portion of an outer surface of the first bearing member. The first bearing member has a bidirectional slot formed therein which is configured to allow the ball stud to articulate in a first direction and restrict and dampen articulation in a second direction which is generally transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: A ball and socket assembly may be used in an automotive suspension system. It may include a ball stud having a shaft portion extending from a ball portion, and a bearing having a wall portion defining an open end and an end portion defining a closed end, with the wall portion and the end portion further defining a cavity having the ball portion received therein, and with the open end of the wall portion including a radially outwardly extending seal flange. A shell has a sidewall portion including a generally cylindrical inner surface for receiving the bearing. The sidewall portion of the shell defines an open end face adjacent to the open end of the bearing, with the seal flange of the bearing extending radially outward of the cylindrical inner surface of the shell and substantially covering the open end face of the shell. Also, the assembly provides for securing the shell to the bearing.