broken idler pulley on mazda 2005 tribute

been through it 3 times now,mazda will not take responsiblity for defect in design,seems once over 100k they break

I cant get to the hole to get the broken bolt out so I have to pull the motor to get to it right? Well I am going to make a bracket with a grade 8 bolt . When I get it done I will post some pics and make some to sell on line..

In January of 2021 my 2006 Mazda Tribute 2.3L started making noises. I released the belt tensioner and the idler pulley just fell off. The bolt was sheared and part of it was sticking out the back of the engine block. Dealership wants $51 for an OEM part no: LF01-15-940A. Autozone wants $22 for a Gates brand part no: 36198. I bought the Autozone one but saved the broken bolt OEM one. 8 months later and 20K miles later same thing happened....but this time the belt and pulley was lost somewhere on the highway. Rather than replacing the pulley..... I got the old OEM pulley....and decided to replace the bolt with a stronger grade 8 bolt. Parts: 1. M8X1.25X80MM 933-10.9 HEX CAP SCREW FULL THREAD PLAIN FINISH. 2. Disao brand Zinc finish push on bolt retainer part number 1043MT. I replaced the bolt.....got a new belt....and it seems to be running fine. Will let you know if it lasts more than 8 months and 20K miles. Here's to keeping my fingers crossed.

Update: 9 months and 10K later the idler pulley broke/sheared off. This is the 3rd time. This time I will replace with OEM: Idler pulley, tensioner, and belt. Note: I DID NOT HAVE TO TAKE APART THE ENGINE AND REMOVE ALTERNATOR to get out the back half of the broken bolt. I managed to come in through the wheel well.....get two fingers behind the block bracket..... could feel the bolt..... and after a bit of a struggle and sore fingers.....I managed to back the bolt out. Saved me hours of trying to go through the topside of the engine.