A ball joint 10 comprises a ball stud 14 having a ball portion 40 and a shank 42 extending from the ball portion 40. A thermoplastic plastic layer 16 encapsulates the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14 and is adhered to the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14. A synthetic elastomeric bushing 18 encapsulates the plastic layer 16 and the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14. The bushing 18 is adhered to the plastic layer 16. <IMAGE>
