DH6twinotter

Hey all, My sister and brother-in-law are looking at getting a 2002 Honda Odyssey. It's got 47,000 miles on it. They are pretty serious about getting it, but they did have one concern with it. At about 75mph, the steering wheel vibrates a bit. I'm not really familiar with front end issues and I figured I'd ask you all's opinions on this. I know it is a bit vague, but any ideas what would cause a steering wheel vibration at 75mph? I had suggested maybe a thrown weight, bad tire, bad CV, or maybe wheel bearings, but I dunno. Any ideas? It seems like a lot of these vans have had problems with the trannies going out. This particular van has had it replace once already. Thanks all. Daniel

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1990 4Runner: SR5, 2wd, 3.90 rear, 3VZ-E, auto.
15x8 MT classic II rims, 31x10.50 Bridgestone Desert Duellers ($50!), Cobra CB, 3' firestick
Planned stuff: Pre-runner light bar with Hella 500s, small lift
Stuff I'd do if I went crazy: SAS, 7mgte or 1UZ swap, and as much offroad goodies as $$ will allow.

navyredneck

Don't know much about the vibration but every Honda I have ever driven has shifted roughly. Another reason why I've always driven the Honda and Toyota and then picked the Toyota

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1985 pickup std cab 4wd rebuilt 2.4L 22r by Oregon Engine Rebuilders, RV cam, oversize valves, Weber 34 DGEC, 8k on engine,5 speed, OME shocks N93/N85 front/rear, rear diff breather, Durabak interior, Summit proportioning valve, SR5 cluster mod, 3" RB body lift, warn winch brushguard with harbor freight winch, custom rear bumper, FROR floating rear axle with pickup disc brakes all around

ewong

could be a ton of things.

First things Id check are the visuals
-- tire wear - any cupping?
(Id suspect toe out - my Golf has this issue as we speak)


-- get it to an alignment shop that you trust
-- wheels bent or out of round
-- wheel balance
-- alignment

worn struts will have a "thrumming" at certain speeds (drive alongside and see if the wheel "bounces" at speed - ya gotta know what to look for tho)

BJ and Tie Rod ends?

then wheel bearings. and CVs...

When I get new cars its the first thing that gets rebuilt... (suspension)

1994runner

More than likely the tires are out of balance.
Honda transmissions do shift a little different than others.
I have seen one odyssey between 01 and 03 go through two transmissions that were both put in by the dealer, but havent noticed a huge amount of problems with them. The worst thing you can do with them is rock them if you get stuck.

coldwiz

I bought our '01 Ody new in Dec '00 and it has been to the dealer only twice. One of those was the door lock on the back door was sticking and the other was an EGR valve recall. Needless to say it has been very reliable. The '02's had the 5 speed auto vs our 4 speed. That is when Honda started having a few problems with them. They seem to be taking care of the customers but I don't have any first hand experience.

The front end shake is probably a tire. It would be easy enough for your bro inlaw to take it to the tire shop and let them take a look. The dealer should be willing to spend $40 for this. Also check out:

http://www.odyclub.com

For more info.

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2000 4Runner SR5 4WD V6 5SPD Diff Lock

91TPU

we had two odysseys i would assume a 98 and 02 and my parents loved both, only reason we didnt get another one is we needed AWD and a bigger vehicle so we bought a pilot...

as for the vibration, every honda i have ever owned, 3, needed to be aligned after about 30k of driving, also if the wheels are slightly out of balance, it shows at high speeds...

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87' 4runner...22re...31" Bridgestone Dueler AT-New project rig and winter dd.
91' 3vze...190k...31" BFG All Terrain's...K&N FIPK-SOLD
07' Civic Si-The Daily Driver.

xcmountain80

I told my wife if she cam to me and said we needed a van we had 2 options. 1. We can buy a VW Eurovan VR6. 2 Or we can buy a E350 4WD.

Aaron

hmmwv15

If they end up getting it and diagnosing the problem, check to see if it's a "lemon law" My uncle had a problem with his Odyssey, and looked up these "lemon laws" and ended up getting it fixed for free. Just a thought...

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I haven't failed, I've just found several different ways NOT to fix this truck. :D

Sean

DealMaker

if it isn't an alignment/wheel balance issue, then its probably a broken motor/transmission mount.

Our '99 Odyssey with 68K miles is on its 3rd transmission. Several broken motor mounts have been replaced. Both wiring harnesses (one for each power slider door) have been replaced. We're nearing the end of tire life on our second set of tires. The fuse box down by the E-brake isn't covered, and every so often when setting or releasing the e-brake a fuse is inadvertently knocked out by the drivers foot. Needless to say, the first time this happened caused a huge inconvenience to say the least. The thing has the worst, roughest ride and is so unbelievably loud. I swear I'll never buy another one. I get steamed when I consider that I paid a premium for this thing when it was new, with the rationalization that I was getting Japanese quality and a 2XX,000 mile vehicle.

The only reason why its still in my garage is because its paid for, and is unvelievably practical. Still, every thime I drive the thing, I swear that I'm going to trade it in for a new LC100.

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'04 4Runner 4X4 SE V8
BFG KO 265/70/17 - Donahoe Coilovers - Deaver rear springs - Bilstein 7100 shocks - Hanna Sliders - Shrockworks Front Bullbar

shantz

what everyone else has staed is worth checking. we have an 03 Odyssey and we love it. The van is super safe and it real peppy with the V6.
Roadnoise is somewhat high but with kids screaming and yelling to doesn't make much difference for us.
You can't go wrong with the Odyssey. its a well built family hauler and is safe.

CJM

I like you, I drive an E350 but it aint 4wd.. Such a pity, it's still a beast.

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96' T100 SR5 4x4, ISR mod, Custom ABS snorkel, KC 57's Hella optilux el cheapo backup lights. Cobra 19III CB, Firestick 4ft antenna, Bilstein shocks.

Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

xcmountain80

I figure if it has to be a van make it a mans van!

Aaron

nieuwendyk-25

My brother-in-law has a 2001 or 2002 Accord that got a new transmission because of a recall. He also has a 2005 Odessey. THey love it but have had a few problems.

When my wife and I found out we were having triplets, she started talking mini-van. I put a stop to that real quickly by getting her a Sequoia....whew that was close!

It may not get the best gas milage, but that is the only thing we dislike about it. Plus I feel a lot safer with my family in a solid frame vehicle. If I absolutely had to get a minivan, the Honda would be my choice.

Anyway, sounds like alignment/balance to me.

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DMN, D.D.S. "DOC"

2000 4Runner SR5 4WD- RADIANT RED, Toyota E-Locker, BFG AT's, Yakima Rocket Box, Toyota Ski Rack, Alpine Amp, iPhone interface, Focal 6.5" Components Front & REAR!, Monster Wiring, Husky Liners, Magellan Color GPS, Bilstein Sucks...I mean Shocks

2005 Sequoia SR5 4WD- BRILLIANT WHITE, Yakima RB, Husky Liners, 10.4" LCD/DVD Player, iPod interface, BFG AT's

1986 Jeep CJ-7- Hard & Soft Tops, Alpine CD, iPod interface, Polk Speakers, 31" BFG AT's, Bosch Lights, Mopar MPI

DH6twinotter

Thanks for the help! I'll pass on the comments to my sis and bro-in-law. Really appreciate the comments. Huge help!

Daniel

__________________
------------------------------------------------
1990 4Runner: SR5, 2wd, 3.90 rear, 3VZ-E, auto.
15x8 MT classic II rims, 31x10.50 Bridgestone Desert Duellers ($50!), Cobra CB, 3' firestick
Planned stuff: Pre-runner light bar with Hella 500s, small lift
Stuff I'd do if I went crazy: SAS, 7mgte or 1UZ swap, and as much offroad goodies as $$ will allow.