Metal split bearing compression load ball joint

1. A moveable joint comprising:

a metal housing having a side wall which defines a central bore having a closed end and an open end, said metal housing having an axial lubrication port disposed in said closed end of said central bore;

a metal lower bearing disposed within said central bore adjacent said closed end, said metal lower bearing including a lubrication slot disposed on an inner bearing surface, said lubrication slot being generally axially aligned with said central lubrication port in said metal housing to provide a common lubrication passageway;

a metal moveable member having a head end portion disposed in said central bore and a shank portion extending from said head end portion, said head end portion engaging said metal lower bearing in said central bore, said shank portion being at least partially disposed outside of said central bore, said head end portion further including a flat spot in direct facing opposition to said lubrication slot of said metal lower bearing;

a one-piece annular metal upper bearing disposed about said moveable member within said central bore adjacent said open end, said annular metal upper bearing having an inner surface engaging said head end portion in direct metal-to-metal sliding contact, an outer surface directly engaging said side wall, and a split segment extending from said inner surface to said outer surface establishing two opposing free ends and thereby providing a degree of circumferential flexibility to said annular metal upper bearing;

an annular cover plate including a chamfered inner surface, said annular cover plate disposed about said moveable member and secured within said central bore adjacent said open end; and

a spring member compressed between said annular cover plate and an upper surface of said annular metal upper bearing.

2. The moveable joint of claim 1 wherein said annular cover plate and said spring member are composed of metal.

3. The moveable joint of claim 1 wherein said spring member is configured to exert an axial preload force on said annular metal upper bearing towards said closed end of said central bore; and

wherein said annular metal upper bearing is configured to engage said side wall and said head end portion simultaneously.

4. The moveable joint of claim 1 wherein said annular metal upper bearing is axially displaceable within said central bore.

5. The moveable joint of claim 1 wherein said metal lower bearing is retained with said central bore by an interference fit.

6. The moveable joint of claim 1 further including a dust boot restrictor disposed about said shank portion.

7. The moveable joint of claim 1 further including a flexible dust cover coupled between said housing and said shank portion of said moveable member.

8. The moveable joint of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a deformable annular region adjacent said open end of said central bore, said deformable annular region adapted for radially inward deformation to secure said annular cover plate within said central bore.