How do I remove the original equipment pneumatic Hood Lift Supports on my 1988 Taurus GL?

The original hood lift supports are flat dead, and won't hold the hood open at all. I purchased replacement hood lift supports which have a slot for inserting a screwdriver to pop off the spring clip that holds the top end of the lift support around a ball attached to the hood (for removal). The original equipment hood lift supports have no such slot and no space whereby to insert a screwdriver and the spring clip is recessed into a groove around the end of the hood lift support. Pliers won't work of course, because you have to squeeze the pliers which then won't allow the ends of the clip to release from the ball. How can I get these clips off to remove the old hood lift supports?