[slaphappy]

I had both engine belts replaced due to milage and they never squeaked; now the new ones have progressively gotten worse over a time period of 1 year.

 

[lumangoy]

where did you have them replaced?

I have a Nissan pathfinder that was doing the same thing, and the dealer just tightened the belt/s.

 

[robo5]

Sound like the belts need to be adjusted. Most likely just the alt belt. Have your shop or dealer tighten it up a bit and you are good to go. Now you can go to work with-out waking up the "hood" ;D

 

[slaphappy]

Is that something I can do? I stay away from the van only due to its cramped working space under hood.

 

[scubajoe]

I took mine to the shop, since I was going on a LONG trip, and just had the belts replaced, with the Goodyear gator belts that others have recommended. It started squealing again halfway to our 2000 mile destination. The shop put the new belts on and forgot to tighten them. :

It's easy to adjust the alternator belt (the front belt). Loosen one or two bolts so the alternator can "swing" on it's pivot point, then crank the belt tension adjuster (at the front of the alternator mount), and tighten the other bolt(s) back down.

Mine squeals again, but it sounds like it's the power steering belt (the rear belt), and I haven't gotten in there yet to see how that one gets adjusted.

 

[slaphappy]

Mine squeals again, but it sounds like it's the power steering belt (the rear belt), and I haven't gotten in there yet to see how that one gets adjusted.

Yep, it's the rear belt squealing now; in fact now getting some noise from the P.S. pump while starting to make a tight turn from a stopped position

 

[robo5]

Have you checked the PS fluid? May have a minor leak and you have some air in the system.

 

[slaphappy]

level indicates okay but air might be another issue; just check condition of the hoses?

 

[scubajoe]

Yep, that's what mine does. Let us know if you get to looking at it before I do. I'm not sure yet how to adjust that one.

The attached image might help. Looks like you loosen a bolt, or 2, tighten the belt, and tighten the bolt. I'd have to be looking at the car to understand this perfectly, but it should help if you try to tackle it. Also, I think you need to remove the passenger wheel and wheel well skirt, and get to it from there.

 

[slaphappy]

Fantastic, thanks for the great imgs; I'll try over the next few days; let you know.

 

[p220sigman]

You didn't say what year model you have, but I had a vehicle that I thought a belt was squealing. It was intermitent and usually on start-up. I tried a number of different things to get it to stop and finally gave up. Turns out that it wasn't a belt, but rather the bearing in the tensioner pulley on the timing belt. Once the bearing seized, the timing belt went almost immediately. It wasn't a pretty sight. If all else fails and you still can't get the squeaking to stop, it might be worth checking.

 

[sienna]

We have 2 Toyota master mechanics in this forum...someone should know!

 

[slaphappy]

this is an 04 model with 93k; should I be changing the timing belt or take to the dealer?

 

[jetnoise]

My dealer told me the original torque specs on the tensioner were a misprint, and that they needed more ft/lbs I thought he said original specs were like 17lbs but should have been something like 27lbs