hood lifters (again)

[seasvx]

ok, i have my *new* hood lifter gas struts, which did not come with the ball fitting that screws into the hood. i did a search of old posts and found this from ensteele93:

"I put the bolt from the hood into a vice (holding it with the nut part so I would not mess up the threads), and hit the stay with a punch and hammer which drove it off of the ball bolt. I then used a rubber hammer to lightly tap the stay onto the ball again, and it was ready to be mounted onto the hood and fender of the car."

everyone agree? or is there any other wisdom out there on how to get the old ones off the ball fitting and the new ones on? any experience or instructive advice appreciated.