Premium performance ball joint and system

Abstract

Ball joints, systems in which they are used, and suspension systems in which the ball joint systems are employed. The ball joints, systems and suspension mechanisms are especially useful for racing vehicles in which premium performance is desired. As an additional feature, the products of this invention are especially appreciated because of the ability to quickly and easily replace or change them.

1 . A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
 a wishbone arm having a threaded socket portion; and   a ball joint assembly threaded to the threaded socket portion of the wishbone arm, said ball joint assembly is operable to be serviced by having one or more components replaced, the ball joint assembly including:
 a housing having a socket at one end, internal threads positioned apart from the socket, and external threads that mate with the threaded socket portion of said wishbone arm, 
 a ball stud having a threaded portion for engaging a drive member, a ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing, and a flat surface, 
 a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly. 
   
   
   
       2 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a locking member for securing the retainer to the housing. 
   
   
       3 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a member to aid in turning the retainer in and out of the housing. 
   
   
       4 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a second wishbone arm and a second ball joint assembly threaded to the wishbone arm. 
   
   
       5 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a shock. 
   
   
       6 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said ball stud can be easily removed from said housing, and a replacement ball stud can be inserted into said housing. 
   
   
       7 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing can be secured to said wishbone arm while a new replacement ball stud can be inserted into the housing once the ball stud has been removed. 
   
   
       8 . A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
 a wishbone arm having a portion for releasably securing a ball joint assembly to the wishbone arm; and   a ball joint assembly releasably secured to the wishbone arm, the ball joint assembly including:
 a housing having an internal cavity with a socket, internal threads positioned apart from the socket, and a portion for being releasably secured to the wishbone arm, 
 a ball stud having a ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing, 
 a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly. 
   
   
   
       9 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said ball joint assembly can be quickly removed from said suspension system and another ball joint system can be installed. 
   
   
       10 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein while the housing stays secured to said wishbone arm, the ball stud can be removed from said housing and a replacement ball stud can be installed in the housing. 
   
   
       11 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a member for securing said retainer to said housing. 
   
   
       12 . A ball joint system for a vehicle comprising:
 a receiving ring having a threaded portion; and   a ball joint secured to the receiving ring, the ball joint including:
 a housing having an internal cavity with a chamber, internal threads for receiving a retainer, and a threaded portion for being releasably secured to the threaded portion of the receiving ring, 
 a stud having a ball portion for mating with said cavity of said housing, 
 a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly. 
   
   
   
       13 . The ball joint system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said receiving ring is a part of a vehicle suspension member. 
   
   
       14 . The ball joint system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said retainer can be unthreaded from said housing allowing said stud to be removed from said housing, and a replacement stud can be inserted inside said housing and the retainer secured to said housing. 
   
   
       15 . The ball joint system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said stud has a elongated shaft that extends through said housing and a threaded portion for being secured to a vehicle component. 
   
   
       16 . A ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
 a housing having an internal cavity with a socket, and internal threads positioned apart from the socket;   a first ball stud having a first length and ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing;   a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void located between said ball stud and a wall of said retainer;   a locking member for securing said retainer to said housing; and   a second ball stud having a second length, said second ball stud can be installed to replace said first ball stud.   
   
   
       17 . The ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the housing can be threaded to a suspension arm of a vehicle. 
   
   
       18 . The ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising a lubricant. 
   
   
       19 . The ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said first length and said second length of said ball studs are different. 
   
   
       20 . A universal ball joint system for a vehicle comprising:
 a ball joint stud having a ball portion, an elongated shaft, and a threaded portion;   a first housing having a cavity and internal threads for receiving a retainer; and   a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing,   wherein said universal ball joint system can be modified so as to replace the first housing with a second housing, second housing has different external configurations than said first housing, said ball joint stud and said retainer can be used with said second housing.