| Techniques infobox | |
|---|---|
| image | |
| designers | Timothy Schmidt |
| date | 2013 |
| vitamins | |
| materials | |
| transformations | |
| lifecycles | |
| parts | Frames, Plates, Bolts, Nuts, Ball hitches |
| techniques | |
| tools | Wrenches |
| git | |
| files | |
| suppliers | |
| reversible | true |
In an automobile, ball joints are spherical bearings that connect the control arms to the steering knuckles, and are used on virtually every automobile made. They bionically resemble the ball-and-socket joints found in most tetrapod animals.
A ball joint consists of a bearing stud and socket enclosed in a casing; all these parts are made of steel. The bearing stud is tapered and threaded, and fits into a tapered hole in the steering knuckle. A protective encasing prevents dirt from getting into the joint assembly. Usually, this is a rubber-like boot that allows movement and expansion of lubricant. Motion-control ball joints tend to be retained with an internal spring, which helps to prevent vibration problems in the linkage.