# Rough ride after transmission service **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** struts\ **Created:** [October 29, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-ride-after-transmission-service/21364 "2008-10-29T02:41:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Portia911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@Portia911](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Portia911)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-ride-after-transmission-service/21364/1 "2008-10-29T02:41:01Z")
Hello all: My 98 Civic EX Automatic with 117k, has a rough ride - a new recent problem. I did not notice it until two days after I got my transmission serviced. So, I got a rebalance and rotation as was recommended by the same shop, but the ride is still bumpy. It feels like my wheels are uneven and bumps in the road seem pronounced. I hate to ask, but could I need new struts? I feel like a sitting duck. I appreciate your help - I also appreciated the responses I got on the distributor/engine power questions. I really like this car and am trying not ot give up on it. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 3:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-ride-after-transmission-service/21364/2 "2008-10-29T03:45:50Z")
Check to see if the tires are overinflated (sticker in door jam) ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 4:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-ride-after-transmission-service/21364/3 "2008-10-29T04:31:23Z")
I’m not saying this is it, and I don’t know why, but if they raised the car and let the struts extend, and they have some wear on them, they can lose their functionality. I had a fuel pump replaced and after being on the lift, the rear struts didn’t have any movement in them at all. Just hard as a rock and had to replace them. So do a bounce test at least to make sure they have normal movement. ---
**Author:** ![Portia911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@Portia911](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Portia911)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 4:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-ride-after-transmission-service/21364/4 "2008-10-30T04:09:30Z")
Okay thanks oldschool, I will check on that. ---
**Author:** ![Portia911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@Portia911](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Portia911)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 4:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-ride-after-transmission-service/21364/5 "2008-10-30T04:18:22Z")
Thanks Bing! Would you know if there is a site online where I could get an idea how much new struts should cost? I know someone I trust for the bounce test. I will take it there this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 11:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-ride-after-transmission-service/21364/6 "2008-10-30T11:07:36Z")
If the struts are original they are done or well worn out. Bounce test you can perform yourself. ---
**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 2:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-ride-after-transmission-service/21364/7 "2008-10-30T14:01:41Z")
Any of the auto parts store websites (Advance Auto, Autozone, O’Reilly) can give you an out the door cost for the struts. Your mechanic may add a markup, but it is a good ball park on cost as well as availablility. If you do choose to replace, get lifetime warranted parts, to avoid extra costs later if a strut fails prematurely. ---
**Author:** ![Portia911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@Portia911](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Portia911)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 5:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-ride-after-transmission-service/21364/8 "2008-11-01T17:53:42Z")
Thanks Jayhawk, and everyone for advice. I took it into Midas today, they told me my wheels had been balanced incorrectly. It now rides better, but it was discovered that one of my rims was bent 1/4" out of true - that wheel is now at the rear. So it won’t be perfectly smooth but in their opinion, it’s not a big issue. Midas had no concerns for safety - my rear struts were fine - I did the bounce test beforehand. They just said my front struts may need to be replaced after a year or so. They quoted me $400. +/-. They seem pretty honest. Several years ago, I had taken a previous car (a Sentra)to this Midas, and one of their technicians said that I needed new struts. When I brought the car back to get the work done, the manager told me that I didn’t need the struts and my drums were just warped. He said that technician no longer worked there b/c he had mislead other customers. I have always appreciated his honesty.