GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

After spending a couple of hours talking with Machinist, Welders and C&C operators, I finally found someone that will attempt to make the Idler Pulley Bracket. My Trix is off the road to address other repairs (all minor) so I took this chance to help out a few of you. The price will be about $150 and will not include anything but the bracket and the idler mounting bolt. All other parts, but not limited too, shims, washers, other bolts and the Idler Pulley (which can be ordered from PSE) will NOT be included.

The plan is to have one made, test it on my car and then put them in production. I will set a pre-build price where a deposit will be required. If you do not buy in at the pre-build price the cost will go up because I'm not going to carry the cost on these items. The hope is to be shipping them at the end of January 2013.

More details coming, please post or PM me your interest.

The Bracket on the far left is the TRD unit. The Bracket on the far right was made by someone else (that is no longer making them) but should be very similar to what I'm building

Is this a ware item? I don't understand why you're having these made.
Your TRD one looks like it's in good shape.

SeattleJeremy wrote:Is this a ware item? I don't understand why you're having these made.
Your TRD one looks like it's in good shape.

The TRD bracket is poorly designed for the material it is made from (aluminum). A quality steel bracket won't fail in the way that the original will. I may be interested in one of these in a few months (after some road testing).

hotbug1776 wrote:

SeattleJeremy wrote:Is this a ware item? I don't understand why you're having these made.
Your TRD one looks like it's in good shape.

The TRD bracket is poorly designed for the material it is made from (aluminum). A quality steel bracket won't fail in the way that the original will. I may be interested in one of these in a few months (after some road testing).

Oh Ok, that makes sense. Thank you for providing such a cool part

It's a tough part to find and TRD quit making them about 6 years ago. It's a complex part to build from scratch.

UPDATE: The build is under way. We are in the process of making four of these units. It will made of 3 pieces steel: the barrel will be made of one piece with the shoulder turned into it; The alternator piece will be 1/4" thick; the engine piece will be 1/2" thick, drilled and tapped for the mounting bolt. Then all 3 pieces will be welded together.
Only 4 units will be made and should be much stronger then the Cast Aluminum TRD bracket. Less chances of breaking the shoulder and buggering threads.

The biggest mistake made in this build is trying to get it done before the holidays. The car has been down for 3 weeks trying to get this made. Driving the minivan lacks certain appeal.

Also while posting this on NC they wanted me to pay a "vendor" fee. After I responded they still won't waive it and locked my post. Nice guys!

The prototype is installed and working. I had to do some grinding and shimming to get the pulley squared up and everything appears to be tracking very well. It is made of steel and will cost $170 shipped if you order now! I'm only having 4 made and if I need to carry the cost it will go up to $190.

God it's nice having my Trix back.