Well, we are back in business. Alliance sent the idler pulley repair kit with instructions that whoever was going to repair the machine was to replace the entire assembly along with the belt. I received the kit Thursday, and Jeff's Appliance and Vacuum Service came this morning. Surpirse!! Steve, the technician, took exactly 10 seconds to confirm that it was indeed the belt and said that it was a good thing that Alliance had sent the entire kit since Kevin had managed to soak the entire assembly with WD-40. Steve couldn't have been nicer and more professional. He stayed on to run the first load and ensure that everything was working as it should. He also mentioned almost apologetically that SQs tend to go through belts every 4-5 years or so. If that is all that happens, then I am lucky indeed.
Anyway, the Alliance customer service technical support guy, Ray, asked that I call him to let him know how things turned out. I will do that Monday - he even seemed disappointed that I had a weekend service appointment because he wanted to speak with the repairman while he was here servicing the machine. Obviously, Alliance isn't opened on weekends.
So there you have it folks, while I am still furious at Kevin and Daddy Ted, I am thrilled with Alliance for paying such close attention and taking care of the parts and to Jeff's for the good service.