Clutch TOB questions

[John A. Heer]

Can anyone explain to me what exactly the throw-out bearing does?  I am
having serious difficulty with my clutch engagement point which makes me
think that perhaps the TOB is going out.  The engagement point changes
frequently under many different conditions - sometimes it engages high,
sometimes low -- but it never seems to be the same.  As a result, I end
up killing it at least once a day when starting from a stop.  Also, when
I shift from second to third, I often lug it a bit because I end up
disengaging the clutch too fast.  What are the symptoms of a bad TOB?

Second, could the above symptoms be a sign of clutch wear?  Maybe the
clutch is going on me?

Any ideas?

John Heer
93 SE-R not stock