There is a cam on the left side that rotates and pushes a rod through the engine to seperate the clutch plates. It takes up slack backwards, meaning you turn it out to close the gap.( the screw is captive so instead of backing out, it rides inward and the 'nut' stays put on the inside of the housing.) I'd be checking that before tearing into the clutch!
It's easy to mess it up since it works backwards of logical thinking!