The ball joint includes a housing that has an inner bore. A ball stud is partially received in the inner bore. The ball stud has a ball portion and a shank portion which are separate pieces from one another and which are in threaded engagement with one another. At least one bearing is disposed in the inner bore and slidably supports the ball portion of the ball stud for allowing the ball stud to rotate and articulate relative to the housing. The ball portion is shaped through a forging operation, and the shank portion is shaped through a process which includes machining and does not include forging.