[Rick Parker]

It is not required, the entire force from the plate pressure is preventing the clutch fork from jumping/slipping off of the adjuster ball. As long as you have about 1/2" of rod protruding through you are ok. The ideal set up is to modify the lever so a 5/16" male rod end can be attached to the threaded shaft from the slave and sandwiched in the end of the lever. It takes a little fabrication but it works well and allows for infinate adjustability. It is described and illustrated nicely in Carroll Smiths book "Prepare to Win".