Just a quick update:
1) With the help of a machine shop, we were able to get the bottom half of the screw our of the binding. (Center punch + backing it out)

That was really cool because it meant that with my intact toepiece, I could get a new screw and salvage the binding (or so I hoped).

2) When tried to extract the top half of the screw from the toepiece, I was completely shut down (almost injured myself). I heard that Fritschi puts red loctite on the nut so the assembly stays together. (There's blue loctite down low, so that's easier to move.)

So... I have a perfectly fine toepiece...except for the fact that there's half a screw in it.

3) I managed to find a local shop to sell me a Titanal 3 toepiece (with screw).

4) When I got home today, BD warranty called me (left a message for 'em a few days ago). They're sending me a new toepiece. Very cool of them! Had I not been able to get the screw out of the bottom, I would have been "screwed" -- they no longer warranty the Titanal II units, and the Titanal 3 units are about to go out of warranty. I'm just lucky it turned out to be a minor parts issue.

Anyway....stay on top of your binding inspections! Hope this thread helps somebody before they get into trouble.

-e