To remove the exhaust spring clips, i drape a cloth over them (to stop them flying about) and carefully lever them off with a screwdriver.
To refit them i use the following tool and a lot of patience and common sense, mine is made to the following measurements in 5mm thick steel and is a direct copy of what my official vw garage uses
METHOD
Hold the tool and clip over your vice and hammer tool into the clip,(the ears stop it coming off the other side), this opens the clip jaws wider so they will fit over the exhaust flanges.
Ideally you want to open the clip just enough to fit over the exhaust flanges, the tool can be difficult to remove if the clip is opened to far, so trial fit and adjust the clip gap in your vice where you have full access and control, it can get difficult and awkward when working behind the engine,
The first clip is the easy one so do this from the most awkward side, then with someone pushing the exhaust against the first clips pressure, fit the second one, the holes along the centre line are so you can lever the clip off the tool with a screwdriver.
WARNING WHEN THE CLIPS ARE ON THE TOOL THEY ARE UNDER LOAD AND COULD POSSIBLY FLY OFF INJURING YOU TAKE CARE.
Mind you having said that it has never happened to me, but I suppose there is always a first time.
SO WEAR PROCTECTIVE GOGGLES/GLOVES/CLOTHING.
As I dont want your mothers, wives, significant others or lawyers on the phone to me complaining that you only have one eye or three fingers or something similar!