Patent ID: 6042294
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: B60G,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
A ball joint for supporting a first suspension member for movement relative to a second suspension member, the first and second suspension members defining a steering axis, said ball joint comprising:a ball stud;a socket having a chamber; anda bearing located in the chamber;said ball stud having a shank portion for connecting said ball stud for movement with the first suspension member;said socket having a mounting portion for connecting said socket for movement with the second suspension member;said ball stud having a ball end portion received in said bearing and rotatable in said bearing to provide for relative movement between the first and second suspension members;said ball stud and said bearing being movable together in the chamber relative to said socket and said second suspension member in a direction parallel to the steering axis;said ball joint further comprising a seal having a first portion in sealing engagement with said socket and a second portion in sealing engagement with said ball stud, said bearing being movable axially in said socket between a position in engagement with said seal and a position out of engagement with said seal.