If it's any consolation, the OME rubber bushings eventualy wear out too.

As far as heims go, here is my limited experience. I am still running my original proto type set of sway bar disconnects. They use 1/2" heims. They still don't make any noise but on rare ocassions will "click" when driving up a driveway. I grease them whenever I service the driveshafts. What I have noticed is if they get 4wheeling dirt in them that they will get noisy. Cleaning and regreasing seems to solve the problem. I assume you fully lubed the ball when you had it apart. I guess a worn out heim is easy to lube though.