[Rick Parker]

Regardless of how far the clutch release arm travels to permit (shifting) release of the clutch plate, the T/O bearing should not constantly ride on the fingers of the Pressure Plate while in a released condition. This holds true whether you are using a cable, hydraulic, or mechanical actuation. As long as the T/O bearing is not riding the finger it's OK. You do not want the T/O bearing to constantly be spinning while released. How much free travel at the pedal this translates to depends on pedal ratio's and that of the Throwout lever itself. If the arm is bottoming out before the clutch releases, you may have a combination of mismatched parts (T/O bearing sleeve length) or the pivot post inside the bell housing may need to be shimmed, thus forcing the release arm rearward (drivers side) in an unreleased condition which will then allow more travel before contacting the forward most opening of the bell housing while the Clutch pedal is depressed.