Best way to remove crankshaft pulley nut (flywheel inspection cover?)?

[Allen McCready]

While changing my timing belt on my 97 camry le with 4 cyl, abs, and auto trans, using my Haynes manual, I am stuck at removing the crankshaft pulley nut. The manual only says to remove the flywheel inspection cover, then insert a pry bar into the flywheel teeth to hold the crankshaft. The manual shows a vague picture of a pry bar sticking up under the car somewhere between the exhaust and the transmission case.

I have located what may be the cover, but the exhaust pipe hanger is holding it down as well as 2 or more bolts between the engine and flywheel casing. What I see is a 3"x6" (approx) thin black sheet of metal with ridges, a vent, and an airhole? The cover(?) also has flaps at the top of each end.

Having removed 2 bolts from the exhaust hanger and one large bolt between the engine and flywheel casing, I am reluctant to remove the somewhat corroded exhaust hanger nut and any more engine to flywheel casing bolts.

Is this the flywheel inspection cover and am I safe in removing all of the bolts and nuts that seem to be holding it in? Do I need to support the weight of the transmission? I had to put a jack under the engine oil pan to remove the RH engine mount, per the Haynes manual.

In another posting, someone suggested removing the starter motor to get to the flywheel to hold the crankshaft. Will that work? Which method is the easiest/best?

Thanks!

[Bmaintz]

I would remove the starter...
Another way is to get a 21 inch breaker bar (1/2 inch) & proper sized socket (1/2 inch drive).... Put on the large nut & whack the breaker bar with a large ballpin hammer counter-clockwise.... Should loosen the large bolt (this is a cheap torque wrench).... Bob

[Allen McCready]

Originally Posted by Bmaintz

I would remove the starter...
Another way is to get a 21 inch breaker bar (1/2 inch) & proper sized socket (1/2 inch drive).... Put on the large nut & whack the breaker bar with a large ballpin hammer counter-clockwise.... Should loosen the large bolt (this is a cheap torque wrench).... Bob

Thanks! Someone else showed a picture to me, so I was able to home in on the cover plate. However, it was a bear. I ended up having to hacksaw off one of the exhaust pipe hanger bracket bolts that was holding the plate down. Unfortunately, I didn't block the car high enough, so working space is very limited. And, now I still have to drill out the remants or buy another bracket, or both.

In the future, I'll try your breaker bar whacking.

Does it matter whether the spark plugs have been removed or not?

Does this work putting the crankshaft pulley nut back on and torqueing it?

Thanks again,
awmccready

[Bmaintz]

You can leave the plugs in, the wacking a breaker bar puts torque on the pulley bolt..... My '87 Camry developed a clicking sound that was driving me crazy, I wacked it & it solved the problem.... Wacking will not put a determined torque on the bolt, it is only a tempary fix, you should use a torque wrench if you can... Bob

[Allen McCready]

Thanks!