In need of some tips on how to get the bushings into the brackets. I have have tried lubing them with dish soap, squeezing them in with channel locks, even tried a bar clamp but so far they will not go in. I really don't want to ruin them by experimenting so any suggestions from y'all that have been down this road before would be appreciated.

I personally havent tried it but a buddy of mine cit the weld put them in and rewelded it, it worked for him.

none that i know of, he spotted it and cooled it in between I think.

Anyone else have some input here?

On mine I just had them oiled down good and kept on with a pair of channel locks, once they started they went pretty easy. i know it seems like they won't go but don't give up. Good Luck! Ronnie in Okla.

I replaced a set on a 68 rr about 10 years ago. I cut the weld on the bracket and rewelded it. I used a big c-clamp to hold it all in place and welded a little at a time. I wrapped a very damp cool rag tightly around it and used compressed air to cool it after each weld. It came out looking pretty good and the rubber didn't melt.

Thanks for the responses. I'll give the channel locks another shot but if that doesn't get results out comes the MIG.

I used a vise to pinch the bottom end, and while in the vise vise grips to pinch the top. Some synthetic gear lube helped ( I was installing poly bushings...)

WD -40 and work from the small end toward the large end. They will go in alot easier than having to weld.

Not sure if they are the same but on my stock 67 coronet sway bar I had to cut and weld them. Pretty simple really.. I did use poly bushings.

I think part of the problem is the brackets are slightly deformed.
I went the cut and weld route and just finished one side. Needed to persuade the bracket into shape but it went very smoothly and after a little clean up with the sander, prime and paint it looks great.