You will never get the screw back in attached, it will just spin the plunger. You need to reattach it and tighten it, then turning it counter clockwise will tension it. Does that make sense? You unscrewed it you did not over tighten it. That bolt screws into the plunger, when tight it then tensions the plunger by turning it counter clockwise. Only one click.
I do not think you damaged it….do you? If so then get a new one.
