Ball and socket joint manufacturer?

[RobertCasey]

Does anyone know of a manufacturer of heavy duty ball and socket joints that are suitable for outdoor use? I have recently seen them used on a relatively low key pedestrian bridge and couldnt imagine that they were specially machined just for that.

We want to use them top and bottom of a column to remove the moments in the column, and to allow thermal expansion of the supported structure. Thanks.

 

[IFRs]

My car has some on the suspension arm ends. Would these be large enough?