I have a failed diaphram (I think) in a 270 11.5" clutch. It has stiffened up and will only just disengage with a short,heavy action instead of a smooth,light,progressive one. It's not slipping. Is this all typical of diaphram failure?

I have a NOS diaphram; a military workshop manual I have,shows a jig for assembling the pressure plate. How necessary are these? Looking at another old p/plate, it looks as if it could all be done by hand.

Is there any problem with this?

Thanks