4X4 Front Axle Death Trap. Disassemble and Paint. Major Issue! Creepy Crawlies. Gold Saga Part 9.

Welcome back fans of the Gold Saga Build! In Part 9, we are diving headfirst into the front end of the 1987 Chevrolet V10 and let me tell you—it’s a total disaster. What started as a standard "disassemble and paint" job quickly turned into a rescue mission for what I can only describe as a "4x4 Front Axle Death Trap." If you thought the rear end in Part 8 was in bad shape, wait until you see what was hiding inside this front axle. From literal creepy crawlies to a major mechanical issue that could have ended in a catastrophe on the road, this episode is a reminder of why it pays to do a good visual inspection. You never know what the previous owner (or nature) left behind. 00:00 Introduction 01:26 Remove Brakes 02:59 Remove Automatic Locking Hubs 05:41 Creepy Crawlies "Black Widow" 06:04 Evaluate components 07:26 Disassemble steering components 10:30 Fanny Brings Lunch 11:01 Remove Cover and Inspect Internally 13:44 Disassemble Hubs, Remove Backing Plates, Inspect components 18:30 Major Crack in Knuckle 20:13 Remove Spindles, Axles and Knuckles 25:05 Remove Ball Joints 25:47 Prepare Parts for Paint 27:04 Separate Hubs from Rotors 29:33 Preparing parts for paint 30:40 Paint Axles and Hubs 32:10 Prepare and more parts for paint 34:22 Remove steering arm from knuckle 37:49 Prepare parts for epoxy primer and paint 39:02 Wet blast axle 40:27 Prime and Paint Axle and components 42:31 Closeout In this episode, we cover: The Teardown: Stripping the front axle down to the bare housing. The "Major Issue": Uncovering a critical failure point that made this truck a literal rolling hazard. Creepy Crawly Eviction: Dealing with the "residents" that took up home in the axle tubes. Degreasing & Prep: The long, messy process of getting 40 years of grime off the iron. Paint & Protection: Moving one step closer to that factory-fresh look. The goal for this truck build has always been "peace of mind." After seeing the state of these components, I’m glad I didn’t just slap some paint on it and call it a day. We’re doing it right, one bolt at a time. The Anatomy of a Corporate 10-Bolt Disaster: When I saw the cracked knuckle on this front end, I knew I was in for a long day. The Corporate 10-bolt front axle is a staple of the square body era, but 40 years of service—and likely some questionable "mud-bogging'" from previous owners—can turn these reliable units into a ticking time bomb. This isn't just about making things look pretty with a fresh coat of paint; it's about uncovering the sins of the past. As we move deeper into this 1987 Chevrolet V10 restoration, the goal is to eliminate every variable. A 4x4 truck is only as strong as its weakest link, and as you'll see in the teardown, this front axle was practically held together by grit and bad luck. Why We Don't Skip the Details: I’ve had a few comments on Part 8 about the "peace of mind" factor, and this episode proves why that mindset is non-negotiable. Many people would have looked at this axle, seen it was spinning, and just bolted it back up. Technical Deep Dive: Cleaning & Prep The restoration process for these iron components is 10% painting and 90% preparation. I spent hours with the wire wheels, degreasers, scrapers, a bead blaster and wet blasters to get this housing back to a state where paint would actually adhere. We’re talking about layers of factory undercoating, gear oil, and trail mud that have basically become one with the metal. What’s Next for the Gold Saga? With the front axle disassembled and the major issues identified, we are looking at a serious rebuilding phase. Once we get the housing prepped and the "death trap" elements neutralized, we'll be moving toward reassembly with fresh seals, spider gears and the attention to detail this '87 Chevy deserves. The frame-off journey continues, and while it’s a lot of work, seeing the progress from a greasy mess to a clean, functional component makes every minute in the shop worth it. About the Gold Saga: The Gold Saga is a full restoration series of a 1987 Chevy V10 Square Body. This truck has seen better days, but we’re bringing this classic 4x4 back to life with a full frame-off restoration. If you love square bodies, K10 builds, and honest shop vlogs, you’re in the right place. Support the Channel: If you’re enjoying the progress on the K10, please consider subscribing and hitting that notification bell! Your support helps me keep these projects rolling. Hit the hype button and hype the video to help the channel grow to a larger audience. 4x4mikey, Gold Saga Part 9, K10 restoration, square body Chevy, 1987 Chevrolet V10, 4x4 truck restoration, Chevy K10 build, squarebody truck, frame off restoration, Chevy 4x4, truck repair, DIY auto restoration, Chevy Silverado, square body restoration, classic truck repair, 4x4 truck build, K10 4wd, shop vlog, project truck, mechanics, automotive restoration, K10 frame, Chevy truck parts, square body life, Chevy K10, truck maintenance, gearhead, 4x4 offroad