<VV> Clutch question

[HallGrenn at aol.com]

Jim,
 
If I can't afford a new (professionally rebuilt) pressure plate I look  
first at the bent spring fingers to see that they are all evenly spaced, that  
the wear surfaces at the spring ends are on the same plane (same level--none 
 higher or lower) AND that the ends all still have about the same amount of 
metal  left at the wear surface where the throwout bearing engages them.  
 
I also check for evidence of looseness around the rivets (or bolts) by  
looking for bright red rust at these points which indicates some play at loose  
points.
 
And I say a prayer.
 
Bob Hall