Cardone 85-178 Windshield Wiper Motor - Front

Cardone 85-178 Wiper Motor Overview

The Cardone 85-178 windshield wiper motor is a new front wiper motor engineered for dependable operation in a wide range of GM vehicles. Built with upgraded internal gear material and precise lubrication, it is designed to deliver quiet movement, consistent torque, and long service life.

Compatible With select Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac front applications, including models such as the Cadillac DeVille, Buick LeSabre, and Pontiac Bonneville.

Key Features

• New windshield wiper motor, not a remanufactured unit
• Stronger gear material helps reduce premature wear, stripping, and breakage
• Precisely lubricated assembly supports quiet operation and extended service life
• Load tested for reliable performance
• Magnets are calibrated to provide torque for demanding weather and worn linkage conditions
• 3 mounting holes, grommet mount, blade terminals
• Washer pump not included

Product Details

Cardone builds the 85-178 using engineering experience gained from reverse-engineering original wiper motors and improving the weak points found in OE designs. The result is a front windshield wiper motor intended for vehicles that need stable wipe speed, proper parking function, and dependable operation in rain, snow, and road spray. This part cross-references GM 22110871 for the same application.

Fits 1988-2002 Cadillac Eldorado, front; Fits 1987-1999 Cadillac DeVille, front; Fits 1988-1999 Buick LeSabre, front; Fits 1988-1999 Pontiac Bonneville, front; Fits 1991-1996 Buick Park Avenue, front; Fits 1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice, front; Fits 1988-1996 Oldsmobile 98, front.

What It Helps Fix

• Inoperative or intermittent windshield wiper movement
• Slow wiper speed or weak sweep in wet weather
• Wipers stopping mid-windshield or failing to park correctly
• Noise from worn internal gears or dry motor components
• Reduced torque caused by aging linkage or motor wear

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify the vehicle uses the correct front wiper motor configuration before installation. If the vehicle does not use hidden wiper blades, parking misalignment is often caused by crank arm position; adjust the crank arm angle on the motor shaft and follow the vehicle-specific hidden park reset procedure when required. If the original system includes a moisture-sensitive wiper setup, confirm the rain sensor and control module are functioning properly. Bench test the wiper motor and washer pump before replacing either, since some systems will not operate if the washer pump has failed.

For fitment, this part is used on front applications for 1987-2002 Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac models, including the Cadillac Seville, Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile Aurora, Chevrolet Impala, and Pontiac Grand Am.

Quality Assurance

Cardone designs this new wiper motor as an improvement over the original design, using stronger internal gears, controlled lubrication, and load testing to support consistent performance. The product is also marked for e-waste handling.