A ball joint includes a bearing which exerts a free play take up force against a ball stud. The bearing has trapezoidal-shaped spring arms connected therewith and disposed in a radial array. The free ends of the spring arms extend toward the longitudinal central axis of the ball stud. The free ends of the spring arms engage a housing cover and resiliently deflect to exert the free play take up force against the ball stud. The free ends of the spring arms are spaced from the ball stud.