mk4 sway bar bushings with rust scale

[1975 Kombi]

Has anyone done sway bar bushings and had to remove rust scale from the bar in order to get the new bushings to fit. A huge amount of rust scale. Seems that the bar under the bushings has developed a tampered ramp of rust scale to the ridge lock that prevents the bar from moving and keeps it centered. At first I thought it was normal but the bushings would not fit. 21mm - 2000 stock Jetta with new style clamps with center ridge.

 

[Seatman]

New bushes never fit easily anyway but yeh, rust won't help.

I clean what I can then use a longer bolt to pull the clamp in and compress it all, after that I'll remove the bolt and use the original if possible.

But yeh, new bushes are very tight