Ball and socket joint assembly with self-centering retainer ring

摘要

An inventive ball and socket joint has a metallic socket with a cavity that receives a semi-rigid annular bearing, a ball stud, and an annular rigid metallic retainer ring. The retainer ring is self-centering within the socket cavity. It includes a lower wedge portion that is received in a corresponding pocket formed between an upper stepped portion of the bearing and inner surface of the socket. Besides being self-centering, the retainer ring also acts as a wedge between the socket and bearing to provide a compression pre-load to the bearing which is controllably released as the bearing wears during use.