So I'm installing brand new suspension bushings Thursday evening after work as one does, and I press in the front lower arm, front bushing (the one with the thick flange) and when I pull out of the fixture it's all deformed and looks like ****. I tried pressing it backwards a little and then pushing it back but didn't see any meaningful improvement. The side with the flange is touching the control arm on one half, but the other half isn't. The opposing side looks like it's offset from the center bore of the control arm. I'm using the large C-clamp method with a myriad of spacers. Should I just buy a new one? I would appreciate some spoon feeding since this project has gone on too long for too much money at this point.

 

You're probably ok. The bulk of the bush is installed and will do it's job. HOWEVER. If it's a bushing from a company that can ship a single one to you, the arm is already out and you haven't paid for the alignment yet. If you're the kind of guy that'll never feel right until it's fixed, now is the time.

 

Yeah, this will definitely bother me if I left it as is. Does this look like an install error or manufacturing defect to you?