Hello,
I'm seeking instruction to remove the interior rearview mirror removal in my 2012 GL450. I need to replace it and I have been able to find anything to help me get it down.
Thanks in advance

 

I know how to do it but I also broke the windshield the last time I removed and fixed the sagging rear view mirror. It may be worth having an auto glass shop do it for you in case they break the windshield.

 

WOW....Thank you for letting me know this is not a DIY type of project.

 

You can DIY but you have to be very careful. I was shocked how easy it was to crack the windshield.

 

It's all pretty 'easy'. But getting the mirror to slide forward you have to use force and be careful. Basically it slides forward into the light/rain sensor. Too much force and you'll damage this. If you don't have a rain/light sensor, then yes I can see that instead of breaking the sensor, you may break the windscreen.

A couple of links
Has some photos and description of the process
more discussions

 

I have the rain/light sensor and found it to not be a difficult process. In fact I had to do it repeatedly because I installed a permanent fix for the sag.

Replace the spring wtih a skinny type hose clamp.

The regular style plumbing hose clamp is too big, as you can see from how snug the skinny type is

even after shaving the top with a grinder:



But once it is done, the mirror not only does not sag, but the tension on the ball socket can be adjusted without removing the whole mirror assembly:

 

That's nice. I just re-tensioned the spring and never had another issue.

 

Thanks; I probably would have just squeezed the spring, but I had no idea how much to squeeze it, and wanted to over-engineer a solution anyway.

 

Don't use a plastic cable tie, unless you live in all year winter climate. I used a plastic cable tie and every time there is sun on the windscreen it sags.

Looks like I'll be redoing this again as well.

And asking for a friend, say he did knock the rain sensor off because he reassembled incorrectly and then had to take the mirror off again and wasn't thinking properly.... How does one replace a rain sensor. When it cam off the lens part remained on the window and the box came off. The lens isn't meant to separate so it broke, then I superglued it back together. It's about 90% fixed, but if I hit a bump or bad light on windscreen the wipers turn on. If I buy a second hand unit, will it come with the lens intact?