I just did a major over-haul maintenance on my TE 300, wow what a pain to work on this reel!
Anyway, finally got it back together right, but at the last minute I decide to tighten one last screw on the outside of the handle side plate, and @#$% it stripped, and way too easily! As it turns out, it holds a plastic part inside as in the picture. (CAM Backing Plate)
My question is, is it safe to leave the screw in there, as is, til next time I open up the reel? It won't fall out, still seems to be in there pretty snug. I don't know what that part does, but doesn't look like a moving part.
I really don't want to open this thing up again unless I have to!!!
I would say yes its ok and go fishing. That part is stable when the reel is assembled. It is "keyed" to the cover and has the small screw you accidentally broke to keep it in place.
Yeah, looks safe as is for a while. Thanks.