Abstract: A pretensioned ball and socket joint assembly comprising an outer ring with a spherical bore surface and two inner ring parts, biasing means urging the inner ring parts axially outward against the bore surface of the outer ring. The outer ring is a unitary single piece and has means for the introduction of the inner ring parts and the biasing means.

Abstract: A radial ball-and-socket bearing having an elastic outer ring for receiving a ball-shaped element. An annular, axially directed recess is formed in the front surface of the outer ring, and a plurality of axially directed slots extend radially therethrough from the front face. The slots and recess define sets of inner and outer tongues which flex to enable insertion of the ball-shaped element in the bore of the outer ring. At least one of the confronting surfaces of the radially adjacent inner and outer tongues is provided with one or more ribs, which are separated from the facing tongue surface by a gap when the bearing is unassembled and which are nearly or completely closed when the bearing is assembled. The circumferential surface of the outer ring has radial projections in the area of the recess for snapping the outer ring into the bore of a housing.