Ball link assembly for vehicle engine drive trains

摘要

The link assembly has an elongated link body having a socket formed in each opposite end. A bearing-type ball is received in each socket, at least a hemisphere of the ball projecting axially. A resilient ball retainer is mounted on the link body about each socket, each resilient ball retainer projecting axially beyond the socket at a respective one of the ends of the link body into resilient engagement with the projecting hemisphere of the ball in the socket to prevent axial dislodgement of the ball from the socket. The bearing-type ball is formed of a ceramic material. The resilient ball retainer has a C-shaped ball retaining portion and a pair of mounting portions for engaging in a recessed area of the link body. The recessed area of the link body is an annular recess and the mounting portions of the ball retainer have a cross-sectional shape that is matched to the cross-sectional shape of the annular recess.