Michelin - vibration

[Ducksrus]

Have '03, 4runner, Michelin LTX/MS2, with vibration in steering wheel, similar to out of balance tires. Long story, but these are a new set of tires by tire dealer to see if vibration issue in front end cured by changing tires. However, the new tires only helped some. Shop also says front end alignment all right and everything is tight.
Dealer balanced tires, somewhat better and they state all mechanical systems are "tight". Definitely need struts, still on original.
Not sure what to do short of replacing parts. Grocery list of items to investigate would be steering rack bushings, BJ's, TRE's, struts, what else? Not sure how to find out if any bushings have failed other than to just get into them. Appreciate input.
Also, suggestions for a good place/store to purchase and/or order parts for Toyota's, especially bushings and such items?
Thanks

 

[howieb]

You did not state if you replaced rears, that could make a difference. I just made 3 trips to the dealer to get my Michelin's balanced. I bought the truck with 32K, now has 40 and I figured the ride was a little rough, maybe dealer could improve it. First attempt was an outright failure, worse than before, never had a shimmy but I did now. I brought it back and they did a road force balance, still a problem! As it turns out they only balanced the front wheels. And on the third try they tell me one of the front tires cannot be balanced to spec due to a problem with the tire! This would never have been identified with a conventional balance. So we moved the fronts to back and it seems ok. So the point of all this is that you need to road force balance all 4 wheels IMO.