I wasn't able to get the top bushing out of my '87 300E, the cat was that close.
I used a sawzall and cut it off. Put a little piece of sheet metal between the bolt head and the cat so I didn't punch a hole in that. Clamped the bolt in an upright position with locking pliers that also kept it from spinning. Put it on upside down with the nut on top. I used the old nut and new bolt to pull the bushings into place.

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1987 300E