Trunk Torsion adjustment fail and ruined underwear

Open the trunk lid fully and prop it open with something (broom handle, etc). At that point the torsion rods should be mostly tension free (not completely though). You should be able to pull the end of torsion rod straight back and just barely out of the slot and then twist it into another slot. Keep in mind that as soon as the end clears the slot there will be some torsion that you'll be holding. For added finger safety you can use a set of vice grips on the bent corner where the torsion rod changes direction to go into the slots. I usually just grab the torsion rod there, but that does put your fingers in a pinch area if something goes wrong. Try not to dislodge the torsion rod from the catch (above the slots) where it seats in after running the horizontal distance across the trunk, otherwise the end will move around in a way you won't like.

There's probably a better way, but that's how I've done it.