Honda & Kawasaki Front Knuckle Assemblies: What They Do and When to Replace Them

If your ATV or side-by-side has been riding rough, pulling to one side, or chewing through wheel bearings, there’s a good chance your front knuckle assembly needs attention. On models from Honda and Kawasaki, the knuckle is a critical suspension and steering component — and when it wears out or gets damaged, it can affect everything from ride quality to drivetrain alignment.

In this guide, we’ll explain what front knuckles do, common signs of failure, and how to choose the right replacement for your Honda or Kawasaki ATV/UTV.

🔩 What Is a Front Knuckle Assembly?

Also called a steering knuckle or spindle, the front knuckle is the part that connects your hub, wheel bearing, ball joints, tie rod, and strut or shock. It allows the front wheels to pivot while holding everything aligned and in place.

For Honda and Kawasaki machines, knuckles are cast or forged and include bearing housings and mounting ears. The knuckle supports vertical load and handles steering force — so it’s kind of a big deal.

⚠️ Signs You Need a New Front Knuckle

• Uneven tire wear (especially after replacing ball joints or bearings)

• Bent or cracked casting from impact or rollover

• Wheel wobble even after replacing bearings

• Loose or misaligned tie rod connection

• Ball joint won’t seat properly (hole stretched or wallowed out)

• Brake caliper or hub mounting issues

Even small bends or misalignment in the knuckle can throw off suspension geometry and eat through new parts fast.

🔧 Why Replace the Entire Knuckle?

While you can replace individual parts like bearings, ball joints, or tie rod ends, the knuckle housing itself often gets overlooked. But if it’s:

• Corroded or pitted

• Stretched at the bearing bore

• Out-of-round

• Warped from past wheel bearing failure

…then those new parts won't last long.

A full OEM-style knuckle assembly gives you:
✔️ A clean slate
✔️ Proper geometry
✔️ Factory-style mounting points
✔️ No welding, boring, or pressing required

🧰 Models We Cover

At East Lake Axle, we carry complete front knuckle assemblies for the most common Honda and Kawasaki models, including:

✅ Honda

• Honda Foreman 450 / 500

• Honda Rancher 350 / 420

• Honda Rubicon

• Honda TRX Series (250 / 300 / 400 / 450)

✅ Kawasaki

• Kawasaki Prairie 360 / 650 / 700

• Kawasaki Brute Force 650 / 750

• Kawasaki Bayou 250 / 300

• Teryx and other UTV models

Each knuckle is pre-machined to OEM specs and ready for your ball joints, wheel bearings, and hubs.

🛠️ Installation Tips

• Remove the wheel, brake caliper, and hub

• Disconnect tie rod and upper/lower ball joints

• Slide the old knuckle off the CV axle

• Reinstall with fresh cotter pins and torque to spec

• Consider replacing the wheel bearing and seal while you’re at it

Pro Tip: Use anti-seize on threads during reassembly — these components see moisture and trail grit constantly.

🛒 Shop Honda & Kawasaki Front Knuckle Assemblies

➡️ Browse Knuckle Assemblies — exact-fit replacements, built tough for Honda and Kawasaki machines.

Whether you’re rebuilding after damage or just doing preventive maintenance, our knuckles give you peace of mind on the trail.