Did you ever figure this out? I just received mine from the TW sale and have spent the past few hours trying to get the side cover off... there's no switch, button, lever or anything that indicates how to get it off. Came with a schematic drawing but nothing's labeled and there is shockingly little info about this reel to be found anywhere online... I emailed Quantum Support but let me know if you've figured this out, every other reel I own has the external adjustment dial and/or visible switch to pop the side cover... it would seem ridiculous to have to start pulling screws to get in there for a simple adjustment