How the blue blazes do the relays come out?

I've got a 2001 AC 4WD and the A/C light started blinking so, of course, the first thing I check is the ground wire (ok), next are the fuses, they be fine, and next it's the relay(s). Now I have spare relays so easy peasy right (?) just pop it out and stick a new one in and see if that fixes it. How in the H-E-double LL do you get em out, these are not your ordinary looking relays!? In all my 65 years of working on every kind of vehicle on the road I have never run into a situation where you couldn't just pull a relay. Even my 01 4Runner you can just pull em so what's up with this beast?

 

They pull out.....they are just tight as hell.

 

I've only had to remove a relay once. Can't remember why.

What I do remember is using needle nose pliers.

 

Well I tried pliers and ripped the cover right of it but it's still stuck.

 

Time to lever it with a screwdriver? I’d pull the negative battery cable, then try and get under it with a door card popper tool (trim tool, whatever)

 

Finally got it out and this puppy has clip retainers. What doofus thought this was a good idea!?