im getting a very subtle vibration in my steering wheel above 40 mph. Its just in the steering wheel and my wife doesnt feel it in the car.

ive looked around the forums and members are saying it might be tires need balance or tie rods.

are there any other causes I should look into?

I'd hate to pay for a expensive road force balance when that isnt the cause of the vibrtaion

Thanks!

 

Check tire pressure and check tires for cupping and uneven wear.
Balance tires
If all good go from there.

 

A careful road force balance to +/- 0 solved the problem for me. In my area, only a few of the Discount Tire stores have the road force equipment. You have to ask.

 

is 80 dollar for 4 tires reasoable?

 

Sounds about right.

 

I'm in Cincinnati and paid $80 for road force. So that sounds about right. I'm still getting the ever so slight vibration. I just bought the car so I'm not sure what it is supposed to feel like. I wish there was a LS430 owner around me so that we could do a test drive.

 

got a road force tire balance x 4. steering wheel feels much firmer on high way.

 

 

I feel it once above 45 MPH and when I am braking. Already had the tires road force balanced. Only thing I can think of now is brakes or tires.

 

if you feel it when braking then rotors are done.

 

Correct. If you feel it when you touch the brake then it's most likely the rotors. I had that and recently changed front rotors and pads and now it's smooth as silk. It's a pretty easy DIY and will cost you between $200 - $250 in parts depending on if you go with OEM or aftermarket.

If it's happening without touching the brake then it's probably either bad tires or bent wheel. You can possibly narrow that down by moving your front wheels to the back and see if you still feel it. If nothing else that will help narrow down the diagnostics of what the problem is.