4th gen Front Hub Assemblies Options

[KeithO]

I have owned at least 1 (and sometimes 2) 4th gen almost continuously for about 12 years. A normal wear item is the front hub/bearing assembly.

My current daily driver is a 2001 Z28 and the right-front bearing is complaining to be replaced.

I have changed literally dozens of these mainly on my track cars so there is nothing mysterious about the replacement itself.

However, when I go to the 2 competing autoparts stores in my area, their websites (and now the store computers - I just checked) don't list the left and front as separate part numbers anymore. In the past, the left and right were different part numbers.

So, I checked GM Parts Direct and sure enough, the GM parts sites still consider left and right as separate part numbers.

Visually, the only difference I could see when I have replaced these in the past was the orientation of the ABS sensor connector.

Has anyone else noticed this change in approach by the "rack" auto parts store? Is this something to be concerned about? Are there any internal differences left and right?

My 18-year-old daughter drives this car and it sees occasional autox duty so I would like to have something on there that I trust.

Thanks.

This post has been edited by KeithO: Aug 11 2012, 05:54 PM

[roy]

Keith,
To be honest, Since 1998 I have replaced 2 pair a year of front hub assemblies, but have never seen a right or left specific hub. The orientation of the sensor was nothing more then then turning the hub 180 degrees.

[KeithO]

Maybe my brain is turning more defective...

It still bothers me that GM considers them different part numbers and the aftermarket guys don't. Regardless, I will go with the Timken piece.

Thanks.