is it necessary to separate the clutch fluid line from the slave cylinder or can I just unbolt the slave cylinder from the tranny case and move it to the side? My shop manual contradicts it self in this area. In the "removing the transmission" section, it says you MUST separate the hydraulic line. In the "replacing the clutch" section though, it says you MUST NOT disconnect the hydraulic line.

 

def separate it. just incase.

 

Just remove the slave cylinder from the tranny(there are also two 10mm bolt that hold it to a bracket on the tranny), and then move it to the side.
I have pulled my tranny more times than Id like to remember and I have never once disconnected the hydraulic line.

 

yeah, just unbolt it from the tranny and move to the side, no need to worry about disconnectign the line. If you do disconnect the line, you're look at another 20 minutes of work thta is completely unnecessary.