Sun Visor Cover Replacement

[bdelmonico]

I have a 92 500sl. i am trying to replace the sun visor cover, it is image on the left. The problem is that i need to remove the bracket that is attached to the visor so i can slip the the cover on the visor rod. the bracket is held on by a star lock washer which is made of spring steel. how do you remove this star washer? I have tried to bend the little ears without any luck what so ever. I cant even budge them. Should i remove the mirror assembly and try and expose the visor rod and remove the bolt or what ever keeps the rod from pulling all or the way out the visor? As you can see the rod come out part way. Any help would be appreciated. thanks. I guess another way of asking is how does the visor rod come totally out of the sun visor?