Method of making self aligning spherical bearing

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I claim: 1.
A method of making a self aligning spherical bearing comprising the steps of placing an outer bearing race component in a holding fixture, placing an inner spherical bearing race in a holding fixture adjacent said outer bearing race component, placing a second outer bearing race component in a rotatable bearing fixture in contact with said outer bearing race component, rotating said second outer bearing race component relative to said first bearing race component while applying axial pressure thereto for fusion welding, directing the flash weld material into a space in at least one of said outer bearing race components, stopping rotation of said second outer bearing race component at a predetermined axial location, applying axial pressure on said second outer bearing race component until stop faces on said outer bearing race components are in contact and removing the completed bearing from said holding fixture.
2.
The method defined in claim 1 in which the flash weld material is directed into a plurality of spaces in at least one of said outer bearing race components.
3.
The method defined in claim 1 in which the flash material is directed into a plurality of spaces in each of said outer bearing race components.
4.
The method defined in claim 1 in which said outer race components each have a plurality of stop faces which are brought into contact by said axial pressure application.




Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method of making a self aligning spherical bearing wherein the outer race of the bearing comprises two race components friction welded together.
2.
Description of the Prior Art It is common practice to utilize some form of friction welding to join two pieces of material together and such welding has been used in the assembly of various types of ball joints and bearings.
One method of friction welding ball joints is shown in the patent to Stuck, U.
S.
Pat.
No.
3,801,395, which includes a ball element surrounded by a pair of ball cups of plastic material which are friction welded along the equator of the ball element and have a sleeve surrounding the ball cups