I used a pair of Channel Locks to get the bushing pressed onto the stud. I thought you meant the cup on the
rod wouldn't go all the way on the stud.

 

channel locks and a tiny amount of grease did the trick, thank you!!!

 

so I put in a brand new shift, cable in my 2004 f-150 at about 275,000 miles and now shifting into other dears is difficult and stiff is it a shift cable or something else

 

You're going to have to tell us.
Chock the wheels and set the park brake.
Go underneath and unhook the shift cable from the arm at the trans.
Then go in the truck and see if it's still hard to shift.
If it is, then it's the cable or maybe the shift tube.

Did you properly secure the cable when you replaced i, so it doesn't melt against the exhaust?

If it's easy to move the shift lever inside the truck then go back underneath and move the shift arm on the trans. Is it moveable by hand? Because it should be.

 

I did check the movement of the transmission arm. It seems to be free and moving by hand, clicks and each gear just fine. I have not, however, tried to shift the truck while the cable is disconnected.