You really should get a book for this type of job, consider it a tool. Yes you're right about leaving the one axle in the trans. No, you don't have to take the brake off the driver's hub. You will of course have to remove the axles nuts, and I would just release the strut from the steering knuckle, so you can just swing it out of your way. I've actually done this clutch job by flexing the trans away from the engine, not dropping it completely down!