Thanks Jay-Bob. I got them off. Turns out that a couple of years ago I replaced the entire assembly on the driver's side, so it is the newer version that comes off a little differently than the original one on the passenger side. The plastic post that holds the spring on the passenger side broke just like the driver's side did a few years ago. Got to repair that this week. I did the driver's side fix, so I should be able to do it again.

__________________
Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles