first of all, my clutch does not engage until it is pressed i'd say an inch or two

when it is not pressed at all an i am at a red light. i can hear a small rattling noist. i can only describe it as a small metal washer vibrating on a metal rod..
when i push it to the point where it is about to engage (1.999) it stops rattling.

1)do all 4th gen clutches engage only after they have been pressed so far?
2) any nuts or bolts i should try tightening? (i have the haynes manual and it isn't doin crap for me)

 

Hard to say, could be something that just needs a little lube or it could be your thrust bearing in your tranny, which means you're screwed (they have to take the clutch out to get to it).