Clutch goes tick, tick, tick

I just inadvertently popped the clutch on my three-speed FJ40 (wet feet).

Now the clutch has a slight tick whenever it is engaged. When I push
the clutch in, the tick goes away. So, what stops moving when the
clutch is pushed in? Clutch disc?

 

Hmm. I can't really see anything wrong from the inspection plate.
Here is my thinking:

What spins at engine speed and then slowly slows down to ZERO
speed when you push in the clutch?

** Transmission input shaft and clutch disc **

So what could be causing a light tap-tap-tap noise? That follows this
behavior? It sounds like a valve tap. It's not a knock.
The transmission still shifts smoothly. The clutch does not judder or slip.

I don't think it could be throwout bearing related because the throwout
bearing goes from ZERO to full speed when you push the clutch in. I
would expect to hear throwout bearing noise when the clutch was IN,
not when the clutch is OUT.

 

Excellent! Perhaps when I popped the clutch I strained one of the
springs and the three fingers are no longer at the same level. Can
you adjust the level of the three fingers without pulling the tranny?

 

I'm going to check one thing: What if the ticking is causing the
throwout bearing to spin even when the clutch is not pressed.
If so, it will dramatically decrease the life of the throwout bearing.

Thanks for your help! --russell