When all the parts are present (unlike mine), I believe the helix not only drives the pinion into the ring gear, it also allows the pinion to unwind back to home when the ring gear speed over runs the pinion speed.
Regardless, the pinion will disengage from the ring gear without the spring having any influence on it's position. Will it come back and contact the ring gear? Maybe/probably but I know I have two engine running like that, for how long, time will tell.
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