Where do i measure the crankshaft endplay at exactly?

[turbotemper]

I read the vfaq's and i like the idea of not having to remove the oil pan to check endplay. I have a fwd & i was looking at the differences in checking play and couldnt seem to find any difference between the fwd & awd method? Can someone please explain the difference in the two? I want to know if anyone uses this method or the good ole drop the pan and measure method.
I am trying to diagnose a noise ive been having. Sometimes it will be louder than others which makes me think there may be signs of crankwalk. I have 146k miles on the gst.
My car has been making some noise for a month now and cant seem to find it. I want to check to see if my crank is wearing through the thrust bearing. My rpms dont drop with the clutch depressed, and doesnt seem to die when its turned all the way left. I am clueless at this point. I think it may be related to my clutch as my slave cylinder needs replacing as does the master(slow leaks down the pedal but my clutch isnt flat) I was thinking that my clutch, pressure plate & flywheel arent working right, I dont know where the noise is coming from except its near the back drivers side in the engine bay, idk for sure. Its not a knock sound but more of a constant whining noise, no its not the belts, or the tension, I have a new harmonic balancer for it but never installed it as the one on it looks all good when ive watched it while running and when i inspected it up close. No cracks. Any advise would be greatly appriciated
http://www.vfaq.com/index-main.html

 

[Defiant]

Use a dial indicator mounted on a magnetic base, stuck to the block and with its feeler against the back of the crank pulley. Press in the clutch, measure and mark, then lever against the bolt in the center of the crank -not the edge of the pulley- and push back toward the clutch. Read the dial.