I've removed and installed plenty of those, I designed some of the mirrors and mounts for Mercedes-Benz.

The removal however, is forward, as if you would hit it with your head in an accident. Pulling it toward you will work usually, but forward is the designed release direction (two screws in the rear of the mount-plate, one in the front).

Do try to avoid hitting and cracking the windshield when removing though.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff