Hood Strut Removal?????

[awdsvx]

Just wondering how do I go about removing the hood strut from the ball? It seems really pressed in there. I do not want to force the ball portion to much just in case I break or bend something. The ball is screwed on the inner side of the hodd, and I would hate to see that get damaged. Please help! Thanks.


awdsvx


P.S. I am going to modify and use some other strut that is the same lenght from another car. Paying at the dealer or on line prices< I think is a bit high.