Wheel ballancing, alignment - When?

[bigi]

2007 Honda Odyssey. Steering wheel pulsates between 70-80MPH.

I think this is due to bad balancing/over tightening the bolts which I am going to check and correct.

Now, some of my friends said that the alignment should be performed as car has 62K miles. New tires have been on for 10K miles. Balanced when put on.

Is it really necessary? I don't recall hitting any major holes or curbs.

Please advise.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Odyssey... Minivan.... I would be surprised if the alignment is perfect unless you are literally the only person who ever drives the car.

That being said, it sounds like a balance issue to me. Try rotating front to back and see if the pulsing changes. If it does, then it's a balance issue.


Alignment issues almost always show as pulling to one side or odd tire wear.

 

[PottedMeat]

check your ball joints & tie rods while you're at it. jack up each corner of the car and grab the tire. try to move it up and down and left and right. there shouldn't be any play.

 

[NutBucket]

And remember, just because the car drives well doesn't mean the alignment isn't off. I would get it checked at least every other year.

 

[CraigRT]

Pulsing is generally a balance issue whether it be rims or tires what have you.
If it were me, I would be rotating the tires and seeing what happens.