Sounds like you put too much grease in the pilot hole.
It doesn’t take much grease to stop the pilot shaft from going in all the way.
Hydraulic pressure is what I use to remove the old bushing.

Don

1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck
"The Flag Pole"
In the Stovebolt Gallery
1946 2-Ton grain truck
1946 3/4-ton pickup,
1953 1-ton pickup
1957 1-ton flatbed dually,
1954 Pontiac Straight Eight
Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!