Pressure plate adjustment??

[hilltopfarm]

So i'm ready to install my tranny on my 03' 4.0L SOHC. Looking at the shop manual it says that the clutch pressure plate needs to be adjusted before install. It says this is accomplished my putting the plate in a press and depressing the fingers, then sliding the springs all the way to the left.

Can anyone confirm that this is indeed necessary?? What does this accomplish??