I helped my husband get that pin out..(it is a pin..not a screw) he was trying to pop it out with a small punch and it wouldn't go..I suggested that I hold the punch from the side facing the post or column of the machine and he tap it with a hammer..came out easy as pie that way. In other words he was first trying to punch it from the open area under the face plate and that did not work.. just opposite of the way you and he both tried first.
Hope this helps.
There is a screw or pin through the housing holding the lever but I it is so far down that I cannot see a slot to indicate it is a screw and I have not been able to drive it out, if it is a pin. Has anyone accomplished this should-be-simple repair?