Maybe I didn't describe it right but for me, it's engaging late as in super high in the pedal up swing. To me, that indicates a "worn" something.
If it's a worn clutch, I would expect it to slip when I'm in low gear going up a steep hill - but it actually doesn't slip in my tests. It just engages super late in the pedal up swing (like almost at the very end when I take my foot off the pedal).
You're ahead of me because I haven't even looked up yet where the clutch adjustment is!
Bleeding will only get rid of air, as far as I know. If there was a lot of air, it would compress, and that would make the pedal spongy. So bleeding is a good idea, but air in the lines would be unlikely unless there is a leak. If there is a leak, then the hydraulic fluid level "should" be low (if the leak is big enough). Correct me if I'm wrong.
There must be a test for leaky master cylinders and leaky slave cylinders. I would think the first test is the fluid level. The second test is a visual inspection for leaks (especially on the slave cylinder).
I would guess a third test is to hold the pedal down for a time period and see if the pressure holds. But I don't know HOW to do that test so I'm just thinking out loud so don't follow me down the rabbit hole on how to test for a leaky master cylinder or slave cylinder.
BTW, if you really suspect a leaky "cylinder" how did you differentiate between the Master and the Slave? How can you tell the difference?
The clutch pedal return spring is almost certainly worn since they all go bad. But no matter what you use for a return spring, I don't think the return spring can affect when in the return cycle the clutch engages.
That is, the return spring can affect how the pedal feels (in both directions) but it won't affect where the clutch engages in the return swing of the pedal.
If your clutch disc is engaging super high in the pedal return cycle (as is mine), then I can't think that the return spring (even though it's almost certainly worn) will change that.
