One LCA was pretty free before pressing in the bushing and the other was fairly tight.

As for the bushing not being properly supported during the press-in process, I don't agree with that assessment. I used a deep 1" impact socket (size 1-3/16", I believe), which allowed the pin to extend through the socket and press plates and pressed the bushing down against the socket and into the LCA. The press ram was pushing against the hex side of the LCA.