96 wheel bearing/hub

[Andrew T]

Looking to replace the the front (driver side I believe) wheel bearing/hub on my 1996 Cutlass 2 door base model. It appears there is a SL also but that the part is the same across the line. Can someone provide a part number and advise as to the SL difference, if any? Thanks 

[55trucker]

No difference to be had.....

for the part # go to Rockauto.......search your vehicle, the hubs are a generalized item, there is no specific item for a premium vs basic car series, just ABS vs no ABS

[White93z34]

not even a difference ABS/non abs on the gen1 front knuckles. the sensor is separate of the wheel hub - why gm couldn't have continued this into the later cars is beyond me.

buy whichever brand you determine to be the highest quality or fits within your budget 

[Andrew T]

55..  and White..., 

Thanks for the speedy response and information! Still a bit curious, what is the LS option? 

[White93z34]

You mean SL? It's just a trim level.

[Andrew T]

Yes, pardon. So there was a base and SL level trim, or was anything above base a SL? Sorry for the added questions, just trying to learn more about the car. 

[White93z34]

I think in 1996 it was just Base and SL on the Cutlass Supreme. But admittedly I'm no expert on that. Cutlass trim was odd there were higher tier ones that were oddly stripped and base ones that were oddly loaded. Generally speaking it meant leather, sunroof, dual zone electronic climate control, and variable assist power steering. Sometimes you'd get the 3.4 DOHC v6. Someone else will correct me, I'm sure.

[Andrew T]

Interesting. Oldsmobile always had some unique ways of going about option combinations and designations. Thank you

ps

The ABS light has gone out but did come back on. A scan and physical check at the shop comes up everything is ok. Has been some very low temps and a recent snow storm where I am, for now I'm going hold off on any replacement as it may be just weather related. 

[Black92GS]

16 minutes ago, White93z34 said:

I think in 1996 it was just Base and SL on the Cutlass Supreme. But admittedly I'm no expert on that. Cutlass trim was odd there were higher tier ones that were oddly stripped and base ones that were oddly loaded. Generally speaking it meant leather, sunroof, dual zone electronic climate control, and variable assist power steering. Sometimes you'd get the 3.4 DOHC v6. Someone else will correct me, I'm sure.

That sounds about right.  The SL was the top tier cutlass trim in 1996, but GM being GM....you could spec up a base model to be more loaded than the top trim level, or you could delete enough from an upper level trim to make it less equipped than a base. In some cases, features exist on some vehicles that don't even show as being available for that make/model/trim/year combo. 

I think it got slightly better as the years progressed....but it still exists to some extent today.