Ball joint

A method of making a ball joint, comprising:

• fitting a ball head of a ball stud in a ball seat;
• rotatably supporting said ball head on a spherical face portion on an interior surface of said ball seat;
• inserting a generally cylindrical outer surface of said ball seat in a generally cylindrical portion of a housing;
• catching a first aperture of said housing with a first stopper portion of said ball seat at a first end of said cylindrical portion;
• crimping an outwardly inclining inner side face of a cylindrical crimpable portion of said ball seat to form a crimped stopper portion;
• said crimped stopper portion catching a second aperture of said housing at a second end of said cylindrical portion, whereby said ball seat is retained in said housing;
• and
• forming a chamfered portion around said second aperture, at a junction of an inner surface and an end face of said cylindrical portion.

A subassembly for forming a ball joint, comprising:

• a housing having a cylindrical portion;
• first and second apertures in said housing;
• a ball stud;
• said ball stud including a ball head and a stud portion integrally formed therewith;
• a ball seat disposed in said cylindrical portion;
• said ball seat enveloping said ball head, with said stud portion protruding from said first aperture;
• said ball seat permitting said ball head to slide therein;
• said ball seat having first and second annular stopper portions for respectively contacting said first and second apertures;
• said housing including a chamfered portion around said second aperture:
• said chamfered portion being formed at a junction of an inner surface and an end face of said cylindrical portion;
• at least one of said first and second annular stopper portions having a cylindrical crimpable portion;
• said cylindrical crimpable portion having an inner side face;
• said inner side face being inclined outward with respect to an axial direction of said cylindrical crimpable portion;
• and
• said cylindrical crimpable portion extending a substantial distance beyond said second annular stopper portion, thereby permitting a crimping operation to be performed thereon.

A subassembly for forming a ball joint, comprising:

• a housing;
• an inner chamber in said housing;
• said inner chamber having first and second apertures;
• said first aperture being at a first end of said inner chamber;
• said second aperture being at a second end of said chamber;
• a ball seat disposed in said inner chamber;
• a ball stud having a ball head and a stud portion;
• said ball head being disposed in said ball seat with an outer surface thereof in sliding contact with said ball seat;
• said stud portion projecting from said first aperture;
• a cylindrical crimpable portion disposed at a first end of said ball seat;
• said cylindrical crimpable portion having an inner side face;
• said inner side face being inclined outward with respect to an axial direction of said cylindrical crimpable portion;
• a stopper portion disposed at a second end of said ball seat;
• a dust cover attached to said stud portion and said stopper portion;
• said stopper portion contacting said first aperture;
• said cylindrical crimpable portion extending a substantial distance beyond said second aperture, thereby permitting a crimping operation to be performed thereon;
• said housing including a chamfered portion around said second aperture;
• said chamfered portion being formed at a junction of an inner surface and an end face of said cylindrical portion;
• and
• a plurality of rotation-stop portions each being shaped as an indentation having a curved surface formed around at least one of said first and second apertures.