ok so i have a 1996 mazda b4000 4x4 4.0 the clutch has gotten to the point where i can only shift into 1st gear if im comin up to a light. ive got all the parts(master cylinder, slave cylinder, fly wheel, pp, clutch plate) i just dont have the scheduled time to go to the auto skills center, place where u can work on ur vehicle for cheap, (im a soldier). so heres my question can i drive it the 500 miles home through WV? i can work on it there. im not trying to drop $1000 to get it fixed plus i got the parts.

 

well. u might be able to but it will only get worse as it warms up. so id advise against it for that long of a trip

did you check the fluid? is it low?

Does pumping the clutch pedal help?

 

Clutch disc or Pressure plate isn't the issue, symptom of these wearing out is when you let out the clutch pedal vehicle is slow to move, slipping clutch, but it would be very easy to shift into 1st anytime because clutch is barely grabbing.

Difficulty shifting into 1st when stopped with engine running means clutch is not disengaging, when you press the pedal to the floor master cylinder pushes hydraulic fluid down the hose and into the slave cylinder, slave cylinder expands and pushes on the Pressure plate forks which releases pressure on the clutch disc which was being held against the flywheel by that pressure.
Clutch disc is the only part connected to the transmission.
Rear wheels are connected directly to the transmission.
When you shift gears you need to match Engine RPMs with rear wheel RPMs.
Clutch makes that easier because it disconnects transmission RPMs from Engine RPMs
If transmission is at 0 RPMs, you are stopped, then to shift gears clutch disc must go to 0 RPMs.
If pressure plate forks are not pushed in enough then clutch disc keeps spinning making it hard to put into gear.

Your symptom reads like slave cylinder is not expanding enough to release clutch disc pressure, if clutch disc is spinning at engine RPMs then it can't match transmission RPMs.
So as Vista 4.0 said, you could have low fluid or air in the system.

No it won't hurt it to drive it that way.

 

Ok thanks. I'll take a look at. Either way I'm gonna replace everything. Got a few other things to look at. Just been lazy. Least of which is the washer fluid. Haha