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

[awmccready]

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!

[Pineapple]

There are bolts around the cover which olny hold the cover. Two is on top holding it to engine block. All the other are on tranny case. It only 5-6 small 10mm head bolts.

[88 LE]

^







I don't bother holding the flywheel/flexplate with a prybar. A impact wrench to the crank pulley bolt does the trick.

[awmccready]

Fantastic!

After a lot of difficulty hacksawing off the corroded exhaust pipe hanger bracket bolt that was holding the flywheel inspection cover on, I was able to remove the plate. It looks exactly as you pictured it above.

Later today I have to drill out the remains of the hanger bolt, then block the flywheel movement to get to the crankshaft pulley nut. Wish I had blocked the car up higher. I am getting claustrophobia and skinned knuckles working under it.

I am no longer stumped!

Thanks!

[awmccready]

Thanks! Now I can remove the rest of the bolts and not worry about the transmission sagging.

[awmccready]

If you have time, I have another problem that I posted under the thread "Change in timing tension spring? ".

Thanks.