I was just wondering how to unbolt the front axle assembly from the front subframe and if it needs to be torqued back down during reinstallation. I plan on doing an engine swap as well as cleaning up the trans tunnel and engine bay and it would be much easier to get in there and clean up everything with the front axle assembly, engine, and trans out of the way.

 

Unless your F-Body is 4 wheel drive, it is called a spindle.. I used an air impact and sockets to unbolt mine. It did come out, but took a little patience. And generally everything should be torqued but once I installed the bolts, I just ensured that they were tight and it has never come upon.

 

I get the impression that you are asking about removing the entire crossmember with both wheels. Big task, as the engine mounts to it & the spindles mounts to the body above & to the lower a-arm below.

REAL rough, undetailed description, far from "the way" it comes out:

Unhook all electrical & plumbing from engine to body.
Unbolt struts from body
Disconnect steering from spindles
Remove tranny crossmember
Remove driveshaft
Unhook shifter (if Automatic tranny)

Jack car way up & lower crossmember with engine attached.

Only a million times more complicated that what I described above. Far from impossible, but not a simple afternoon job for just 1 person either.

 

One of my past jobs was installing frame and suspension components on 4WD trucks, so that is what I am used to calling them. The reason why I am asking is because I am not really familiar with the Third Gen F-Body's setup. This is the first time that I have done any major work on these cars, other than some bodywork with the quarter panels and putting in a new interior.

 

A lot of ppl like to pull the motor from the top (305 or 350). Others like the drop out method because the K-member, struts, wheels and everything between can all come out as 1pc.

just read any of the engine removal threads... it's the same thing, just out of the bottom

This is a pic of Ghetto's swap