Sway bar bushings and Tie Rods

[83 Jimmy]

 I have an 83 GMC 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup. Melted out the old end bushings in the sway bar and attempted to press in the new ones via shop press, and fubarred the new ones/ rubber started to split away from the metal sleve for the bolt.How in the heck do you get the OE style one piece ones in without damaging them? I realize there are hi po ones that are 2 piece but my wallet allready hurts..... Anyone?

also.  ordered Moog Tie rod ends for the same truck.  I have them installed however the body of the tie rod contacts the rim and wheel weights, no clearance issues previously. did they sell me the wrong  tie rods? the left one is ES2233L. Looked it up online and only specifies Suburban or Blazer? manually tried to look up for my exact truck and comes up with no results? No specification of 1/2 or 3/4 ton.   truck shows a difference between 1/2 and 3/4 What the heck?

[1979C20]

For the sway bar bushings, I know on my truck the "loops" that hold the bushing in place can unbolt. Loosen them up, slide the bushing under and tighten them. They unbolt so you can remove the sway bar.

[83 Jimmy]

These dont look like they unbolt. I have the sway bar loose from the pickup and on  the bench. They are solid. The bushing is a cylinder/cone all one pece.

[1979C20]

I'm sorry, Just realized you had a 4x4. But, pictures would help a lot.

[thirsty]

Are you talking about the bushings that go on the end that bolts to the plate for the ubolts at the axle? Did you try something to lube them up? I have put rubber bushings in with a ball joint press before. Maybe you can make that work on your bushings.

[83 Jimmy]

Got it all figured out. But thanks for the replies.

[beastie_3]

Can you let us know what it was to help the next person?