Is this control arm bushing busted?

I put an old man emu lift on and for awhile this little bushing seemed to be leaking/popped. I just checked it again and it seems damaged.

I believe the struts have been pushing the control arms to their max, and I’m pretty sure I can hear them bottom out against the bump stop when I go over certain bumps. Im wondering if this can be fixed by just upgrading the control, arms, or if I would also need to get bigger fenders.

 

That is a ball joint. Looks yucky, but if there is no play, it's still mostly fine.

 

That is definitely not good. You can reboot it.. but that means you’re about half way to replacing it. I would recommend replacing the balljoint. Check your lower balljoints also! They can fall without warning. If you don’t know when they where done last..Change them. Fsm is every 70k miles.if I remember right Sooner with a lift.

 

Are there decent aftermarket options for us? I'd like to get a little more travel in the control arms, but don't want to have to change fenders

 

A good way to check if you are reaching the limits of your UCA is by removing your shocks and cycling the suspension up and down with a jack. Keep your UCA connected to your spindle (with the failing ball joint). As you lower the jack to reach max droop, see if the ball joint on your UCA binds on your spindle. Then raise the jack to reach max uptravel (LCA hitting the bumpstop) and see if the balljoint on your UCA binds. Generally, if the UCA is binding, it will be at max droop.

If it is not binding, I would say save the money and not upgrade the UCA. Just replace the balljoint because it has one foot in the grave. It may be fine now but once the boot rips it is only a matter of time before dust and grime will enter and make its way into the ball.

 

You would only need fenders if you go long travel and huge tires, and you aren't going to get there on an OME lift. Think Fox/Kings, new LCA's, UCA's -- and then there's all the rear stuff you'd want to do to match.

You aren't going to get a measurable amount of additional travel with a new UCA and your current setup.

Refresh your ball joints and drive it. Or save up $10K+ and go long travel.