I just replaced my trunk struts on my 97 contour. It looked like an impossible job until I saw in my tool box two tools I had bought at a flea market.
Each one had a 5 inch long hex handle and one had a straight end like a skinny ice pick.
The second tool was like the first except the point was like the beginning of a corkscrew.
The corkscrew tool works by inserting the point in under the spring clip and twisting, I had to add my skinny vice grips to get enough twist but it makes it easy to snap the strut out of the ball.
The straight tool works perfect to hold the spring clip up thereby unblocking the socket so it can be snapped on the ball. Pull the tool out and with your finger make sure the spring snapped back in place to hold the unit to the car.
PS
When I snapped off one end of the first strut, the trunk snapped closed and it was dark and cramped but I thought I was the Houdini but after 10 minutes of battle I decided to just relax and wait. In one hour and 20 minutes my wife rescued me. Sometimes all you can do is to remain calm. | 
