First off, I know this issue has been heavily asked in previous posts. I'm trying to see how it relates to my specific car, although it's likely going to a mechanic tomorrow.
2003 s40, 63K.
In my previous post, I was having issues with side skirt loosening and causing lots of noise. I successfully removed the skirt. There is a tremendous amount of front end vibration, which probably caused the skirt to loosen.
To go back even further, I've had vibration during braking. I had Midas (I know, I was desperate) do my last brake job. I though the rotors were warped. They said they cleaned them and they've been fine, up until a week or so ago, when there's vibration again. I keep going back to them because of the guarantee on my brakes.
More recently, there's been a serious front end vibration, which doesn't appear to be connected with the brakes. It feels like it's mostly on the driver's side but I'm not sure. it occurs when I'm driving at almost any speed but get more severe at high speeds, which leads me to believe it's connected to the wheels. I checked the wheels/tires and the tires don't sem low, and the rims don't appear to have any gouges.
I drive 100 miles roundtrip per day and am scared driving now. I had an '89 Accord that vibrated, only for a short period of time until one day a control arm broke and the wheel went horizontal. I don't need that heart attack again.
Sorry for the dramatics. I am very thankful for the help of this forum.

 

I would check the axle inner joints they go bad pretty often.

 

Thanks, tech. I am a certified amateur. It looks like I will be taking it to a mechanic tomorrow to check. Any thoughts on cost, if it's that, or other possibilities? Loaded question, I know.

 

If it is that it is pretty expensive if you use Volvo axles to fix.
But let them look it over good.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. Took it to a great private Volvo mechanic the other day. The whole thing was caused by a massive pothole I hit months back. It caused wear in the tire tread, close to the inside where I could see it. Entire section at the top of the tread was cut out, down to the belt. I was lucky I didn't wait another day. Tire replaced, mission accomplished. I have to take it elsewhere for a wheel alignment as he doesn't have the machine. Is this is good time for a tire rotation? I was thinking of having the tires rotated and wheel alignment done in the next week or so.
Also, the vibration from the bad tire caused the side panel to loosen. It's back on now, with most of the screws.
As for the brake vibration, my pads/rotors are fine. He warned me about using the hard Midas pads, which tend to mangle rotors. In the future I will redo all the brakes with Volvo parts.
Cheaper repair than expected. Good news all around.

 

If you just got new tires in the front then I would leave the new ones for now and then rotate them in 5K.