rear drop link bushing ?, install issues Options

[scotty b]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) HOW ?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

My first and possibly last time doing the rear bushings (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

I've spent almost 30 minutes trying to get one of these damned things on. I popped all 4 onto the ball ends of the bar and the shock mounts, but how in the hell do you get the drop links on ? You can't put the links on first because the bushings collapse under the force without the ball insde for support. I've tried the bench vise, the press, smacking it with a hammer. All it will do is cock to one side and start compressing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) I've slatherd the outside with pet. jelly, should I get that off and do it dry ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[scotty b]

Thanks guys, I got them in. I think lubing the outside might have been my biggest issue. It just made it to easy to slide around. I ended up taking them all off of the ball sides and installing them into the links dry. Tried drilling a hole in 2 of them and really didn't notice much difference. I still had trouble with channel locks deforming them, so I ended up inserting as much ( about half ) of the bushing as I could, then while applying hand pressure to that area, I VERY CAREFULLY worked the rest of the lip into the ring a little at a time with a screwdriver, ( good way to get instant stigmata (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) ) once I had the whole edge inside the ring, a couple smacks with a deadblow seated it fully. Took the shock mount and stood it on end and whacked it with the dead blow then took that assy to the bench vise, set the bar in place and tightend the vise down to pop the bar into the bushing.