Effects of Ball Stud Size on Socket-Style Chassis Parts

What is a Ball Stud?

A critical component of rotational (socket-style) chassis parts like ball joints and tie rod ends, the ball stud is a connection that allows rotational movement within the housing. Depending on its location, the ball stud is subject to severe axial and radial forces. To resist these forces and avoid the stud being pulled from its housing, an adequate pull-out strength is required.

The materials used will have a direct impact on the pull-out value. To ensure optimum performance, it’s essential that the stud is correctly designed and manufactured from the right steel alloy. MOOG®’s full-ball design is engineered to minimize friction and optimize performance to ensure that they won’t fail during the regular service life of the part if correctly installed.

Considerations When Deciding Ball Stud Size

When MOOG engineers are designing a ball joint, one of the first questions that needs to be answered is what size the ball stud is going to be. Following the OE design or maximizing the size of the ball isn’t always the right way to go; there is no correlation between a larger ball stud sphere diameter and better performance.

To give each part its signature MOOG characteristics, many factors have to be considered:

• Heat treatment of the stud
• Application requirements / wear profile
• Size of mating components
• Bearing material
• Housing profile

For producing MOOG Problem Solver ball joints, it’s about balancing the right characteristics for the given application.

Learn more about premium steering and suspension parts, find your car part, or find where to buy your auto part today.