A kingpin unit bearing steerable drive axle for a powered wheel of a vehicle may include a steering knuckle having a first side and a second side, and a unit bearing configured to support a wheel and operatively connected to the first side of the steering knuckle. An axle housing is operatively connected to the second side of the steering knuckle, and the axle housing has an upper arm and a lower arm. A first kingpin connects the upper arm of the axle housing to the steering knuckle; and a second kingpin connects the lower arm of the axle housing to the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle and the axle housing are configured to receive a powered axle shaft to drive the unit bearing.

A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

A wheel unit for a vehicle includes a main housing configured to be coupled to a chassis of the vehicle, the main housing including first and second control arms. A transmission housing includes a body having first and second protrusions extending from the body, the first protrusion partially defining a first cavity that receives a portion of the first control arm, and the second protrusion partially defining a second cavity that receives a portion of the second control arm. A first pin is coupled between the first protrusion of the transmission housing and the first control arm of the main housing. A second pin is coupled between the second protrusion of the transmission housing and the second control arm of the main housing, the first and second pins defining a steering axis. The transmission housing is pivotably coupled to the main housing about the steering axis.