Is there a special tool to remove the headlight assembly clips and if so where can I get one?

Remove the screws that hold the grill in place. Undo the clips right and left front in the lower section of the grill (push the bottom part up) and pull out carefully. Take out the three 11mm bolts that hold in the parking light assembly (you may have to remove the battery tray, or the wiper bottle/expansion tank depending on which side) and unplug the parking light bulbs. There is a Ford headlight tool to remove the clips on the headlight anchors that are now accessible. But it stinks. Remove the clips as best you can and try not to damage them. Sometimes they pop off with a screw driver and it'd almost be like trying to teach someone how to knit over the internet to explain exactly how they work. But once you get one off, the others come easier. I apologize that I can't be more specific on the clips, but they really are a design flaw.

The FRONT running light is serviced by removing the front filler panel just below the grill.
This panel is held in with spring clip retainers and is made to be removed without tools.
Once this panel is removed the bulb is easily accessed.

there are only 3 nylon u-shaped clips holding the headlamp assembly in

Most of this solution for changing a headlamp on a ford focus sedan is taken from solution 2's writeup, accept with a few more details that should help changing the bulb assembly for the novice. Pop the hood. At the front of the car, look to the back of the headlight assembly. There will be a plastic cover on the back. On some models, you need to unscrew the plastic cap; on others, it just pops or screws off. Remove the plastic cover and then take note of the orientation of the three prong connector on the back of the bulb assembly. This is important because the replacement bulb assembly is going to have to be positioned in the same manner. By noting the orientation before taking out the old assembly, it will be easier to orient the replacement bulb assembly after removal.
There is a small retaining clip that surrounds and holds the bulb in place. Removing the clip can be tricky. On my 2003 Ford Focus sedan, there is a special place to push and release the clip that is above the bulb - perhaps further above than you might think. Push the release clip and it will release the retaining clip from the bulb assembly. Gently pull the retaining clip down and out of the way of the bulb assembly. Pull the original bulb straight out. Remove the three prong connector from the bulb assembly. Connect the three prong connector to the replacement bulb and then orient the three prong connector as the original and push bulb assembly straight back into place. Jiggle the assembly slightly to seat it into the correct position in the headlamp housing and replace the retaining clip to hold the bulb in place. Replace the plastic cover on the back of the headlamp and replacement is complete.
No tools. 10 minutes.

under the hood there will be a large, plastic weather cover to unscew by hand, remove the 3 pin connecting plug, there will be a spring loaded clip holding in the globe, depress the looped end and divert it over to one side thsi will release the globe, assembly is in reverse, be careful as not to touch the end og the globe, as the oil on your fingers are detremental to its operation. No special tools required to do this. Good luck

there is a c-clip that holds crank onto regulator assembly. it requires a tool to remove. may chk locale parts store for tool loaner programs they may have. "window crank arm removal tool"

Headlight Bulb Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the headlight assembly mounting screws.
3. Pull the assembly forward and disconnect the bulb connector.
4. Turn the bulb retainer ring counterclockwise and remove the bulb from the headlight assembly.

To Install:
NOTE: Do not handle the glass portion of the bulb with your bare fingers.

1. Install the bulb in the headlight assembly.
2. Install the retainer ring.
3. Connect the connector to the bulb.
4. Install the headlight assembly in the vehicle.
5. Connect the negative battery cable.

No special tools required.

Do you just need to replace burned out bulbs or the entire headlight assembly? I replaced the assembly on my '90 Mercury Cougar when the lens cover came off (evidently while driving...it was just gone one day). Turns out you couldn't replace just the lens, had to replace entire assembly. I found one in a pick and pull junkyard and it was quite inexpensive. The assembly was held in place with three or four spring clips which can be removed with a pair of fine-nose pliers, but be careful, due to the age of the car, the spring metal in the clips is somewhat brittle, I had one of them break.

All of the Focus model lights are identical. I recently installed Sylvania Cool Blue's on my '01 ZX3. Pop the hood. At the front of the car, look to the back of the headlight assembly. There will be a plastic cover on the back. On some models, you need to unscrew the plastic cap; on others, it just pops or screws off. There is a small retaining clip that surrounds and holds the bulb in place. Removing the clip can be tricky. On my Focus Wagon, there is a special place to push and release the clip that is above the bulb - perhaps further above than you might think. Gently push this aside with your hand and the bulb assembly will come right out. Just remove the original bulb and pop the new one in. These bulbs have a standard three-prong setup so there's only one way to install the new bulb. Pop the assembly back in place, attach the retaining clip and put the plastic cover back on. On the driver's side, you may want to remove the battery cover to give yourself a little extra room to work. No tools. 10 minutes.

There are two clips for each light; one to each side just lift up on the clips. Then you have four upper and two lower grill clips that are the push/pull type. Just pull where the clips are located and they will pull right out. Watch for stressing the wiring going to the running lights. You then can pull the headlight grill assy out far enough to change the lights. Low beams are to the outside and high beams to the inside. DON'T TOUCH THE BULBS!!! A little twist left or right will unlock the bulbs. Use some contact grease to make sure the contacts stay good. 15 - 20 minute job.