[Kasey]

You should have received the special flat "wrench" with your HANS unit. It slips in between the helmet padding and the shell and allows you to hold the backing nut. No need to tear anything away. Just be carefull. This is how I damaged the lining on my first helmet.

With the flat wrench holding the backing nut, you can put another wrench or a flathead screwdriver on the posts and rotate them to desired position. Just be sure that all is tight when you are done.