Loud belt squeal when cold

[dogsridewith]

Shop manual says loosen both bolts. Yes, on many random cars of all types the lower bolt is loose enough that you only need loosen the upper one for belt adjustment. On this new-to-me 2007, that's what I did first. But the alternator position was just frozen until I loosened the lower bolt. Used a correct sized socket on a 3/8 drive ratchet wrench w/ a piece of one-inch aluminum tube as a cheater to gain a little length...just enough room for one click per rotatation. (Best might be a long enough 12 point box end wrench w/ the right bend for access.)

Now that I know a tool to use, I do tighten the lower bolt. Also can see why Toyota dealers would rather prefer to avoid those steps to save time by leaving the lower bolt sorta tight.

The manual instruction to use a pry bar but w/ care not to hurt that part is bad advice...many or most people doing the job will have trouble finding the vulnerable part.