1994 Camry hood strut problems

I have a 94 Camry LE, and the hood struts have gone. I was trying to take them off and I am haveing probelms. Taking it off the hood is easy, but the other end that is connected to the body I just cannot figure out. It is connected to the cable as well, so when I take the bolt out it is still hoooked to the cabl bundle.
I was thinking that the strut pin (That goes throiugh the hole in the stut) would have a retaining ring but I cannot find one. It seems like the pin is welded on or something. I am sure this is not the case. What am I missing?