I had the same problem with my new 2000 Contour last month. I pushed the removal tools in as far as I could and pulled until I thought the dash and I would exit the back window. Then the tools released and I almost went out the back. After a frustrating hour of this nonsense, a call to Crutchfield revealed the secret (at least it worked for me). Brute force is NOT the answer. Try pushing the tools in only until they click, not all the way in. Then, pulling outward (left and right) on the tools so they lock, wiggle the unit GENTLY back and forth, up and down. In my case, after about 30 seconds the right side clicked free; then a little more wiggling got the left to release; then the unit slid right out. It was the hardest part of the installation process.
