I would test fit both bushings to the trans, with out the shifter. Put the small one on the end of a pencil or something and make sure it floats well through the hole in the shift rod.

Same for the large one, in the housing.

 

No trick really. they were tight but ulimately just pretty much poped them off by hand.

 

If you have as much rust/corrosion as you say, it is likely the bushings are worn. This would explain why you were able to get them off so easily.

 

Could be. I'll be taking them apart again this weekend to clean out the corrosion so I'll give you all and update.