I am wondering how I should go about getting the plastic studs inside the air filter box out. I tried pulling but they wouldn't give. Is there something special I need to do or do I just yank until something gives?

 

I found that on my '98 the studs have a ribbed shank. I was able to muscle them out. To replace simply push them back in. Worse case you could replace them with a nut and bolt or a sheet metal screw. Try prying them out with a screwdriver or angled tack remover.