When I did mine, I used an air hammer. I couldn't figure out a good way to get the brackets into the press or a vise.

I clamped the rod in the vise and used a concave-faced chisel in the hammer. I put the edge of the chisel under the flange on the bushing. I had to work around the bushing a bit, but they all came out in under a minute each.

I don't have any suggestions if you don't have access to an air hammer, though.

Cheers,
Eric