I finally purchased replacement Dorman Jounce Bumpers from O'Reilly Auto Parts Store and installed them myself. The Dorman Jounce Bumpers was the best price and product for my budget. Geez Louise, it is a ____ to work on your back and having the sensation of feeling upside down. Thank God for good health. Health Warning Reminder: Make sure you have proper ventilation whenever working on a vehicle and especially while using chemicals - the temperature was hot and humid and the natural air flow was almost a standstill. I quit for the day because the WD40 fumes, heat and lack of air flow left me feeling nausea, dizzy and exhausted: I returned to complete the job a few days later. I was able to remove the OEM jounce bumpers and install the new Dorman Jounce Bumpers!

I was surprised to learn through this forum, others forums and mechanics in local shops state, "you don't need the bump-stops, they will rot before you use them", I prefer to have them on my truck because I periodically carry heavy loads - sod and top soil in the bed.


OEM Jounce Bumper in 2017 - it fell off in the Lowe's parking lot in May 2019

 

The shop that said I need new brakes

The shop that said I need new brakes
Local shop inspection recommending brake job

Local shop inspection recommending brake job

Local shop inspection recommending brake job

Local shop inspection recommending brake job

Local shop inspection recommending brake job

Local shop inspection recommending brake job

Local shop inspection recommending brake job

Local shop inspection recommending brake job

Local shop inspection recommending brake job

Local shop inspection recommending brake job

Local shop inspection recommending brake job

Parking Lot Mechanic Removing Bad Alternator, a blessing and act of kindness with a cost saving to my budget

Parking Lot Mechanic Removing Bad Alternator, a blessing and act of kindness with a cost saving to my budget

Parking Lot Mechanic Removing Bad Alternator, a blessing and act of kindness with a cost saving to my budget

I think this part is the drive belt tensioner: another part I may have been scalped by a auto service garage in northern Virginia!

Serpentine belt loosely resting while removing bad alternator; this belt was installed in December 2018 by a local shop in Okaloosa County, Fl.

I think this part is the belt idler pulley: installed in December 2018 by a local shop in Okaloosa County, Fl.

Part identification?

Serpentine belt loosely resting while removing bad alternator; this belt was installed in December 2018 by a local shop in Okaloosa County, Fl.

Serpentine belt loosely resting while removing bad alternator; this belt was installed in December 2018 by a local shop in Okaloosa County, Fl.

Serpentine belt loosely resting while removing bad alternator; this belt was installed in December 2018 by a local shop.

Serpentine belt loosely resting while removing bad alternator; this belt was installed in December 2018 by a local shop.

 

I visited another local shop whom I have used for other service - Geez Louise! I discussed my concerns about the brakes and shocks; I felt better because I used them and they have been good to me. I paid $80.08 for a brake, shock inspection and suspension inspection - they cleaned the brakes and confirmed everything is fine. However, when I went to pay and retrieve my truck - they said my truck would not start! I drove the Monte Carlo to their shop and retrieved my truck, paid the bill and discussed the original service and cause of my truck not starting: the Owner/Mechanic of the business and Staff Mechanic disagreed on whether I need a starter or not - they charged my battery, they started my truck and I returned home. I departed believing my truck is now fit and ready for driving. I left the Monte Carlo with them because I wanted to charge the air conditioner and give it a basic checkup. NO SUCH LUCK. Soon after I returned home I went to start my truck, so I can commence mowing the lawn with out tractor/mower. My truck would not start: I commenced troubleshooting potential causes, I was hoping for a miracle i.e., I was hoping by replacing the starter relay in the fuse box the truck would start. I jumped my truck and visited O'Reilly Auto Parts Store. O'Reilly Staff ran diagnostics on my truck: the results dictated that I need a alternator and battery. I purchased a new (re-manufactured) Ultima alternator; I was fortunate that a local mechanic whom happened to be at the shop helped me - he installed the alternator in the parking lot in less than one-(1) hour; the irony is that another gentleman had the same problem because he [the mechanic] was working on the other customer's Buick Lucerne! The next day I found another garage and yesterday the shop ran diagnostics and according to this shop whom specialize in alternators and starters I need a battery - tomorrow I get my "Free replacement battery as specified in my warranty"!