Like any other self-respecting engineer, I tore into my R2C shifters without reading the instructions. After springs and parts were all found, I read to find that you are NOT to remove the assembly bolt. After some web-searching, it seems that no one has a schematic for the internals and SRAM expects you to return it (void of warranty mind you).
Here is how you get it back together. Image 1 is the pile of parts. Note that my coil spring was broken (only one bent finger at the end - some pliers fixed that).
The other images is how it is supposed to look. The two red arrows are to show that the rotary compression spring (coil spring) needs to be compressed until you can get the bent tabs over the retaining feature on the shifter body. The plate has a long portion that sits down between the two tabs to provide the spring force to "return to center".
Your pic's and comments saved my day (and race at Kalmar IM distance next saturday).
I just couldn't figure out how the parts worked until I found your troubleshooting help. My coil spring was broken too... Thanks to you I realised that, and also got it all put together again.
I'm very greatful!
Best regards from Sweden
/Carl