Chrysler Repair: 97 cirrus 2.5L crankshaft bolt, inner fender, chrysler cirrus

Question
How do I remove a 1997 Chrysler Cirrus 2.5 Crankshaft Bolt?

Thanks

Tony

Answer
Hi Tony
The bolt is conventional right hand thread but it was torqued originally to 134 foot-pounds if done to spec. I have one idea: check to see if there is an inspection plate at the other end of the engine which would give you access to the flex plate and its teeth (with which the starter motor bendix gear meshes), and see if you can jamb the crankshaft it by inserting a bar into a space between two teeth which would then be wedged at the bell housing edge of the opening, or you could try removing the starter motor to gain that same access to the teeth.
An 'off the wall' idea, and maybe not too safe would be to use a long enough breaker bar on the socket that it touches the ground and then try just energizing briefly on the starter motor (tweak it) while a helper holds the breaker bar wedged against the ground to see if the starter might generate enough torque to break the grip of the bolt in the crankshaft. I believe the motor turns clockwise so it should unscrew the bolt.
Another possibility is to try a conventional removal approach but with the engine warmed up to operating temperature.
There are some chain-based wrenches that you might try that when  the chain is wrapped around the pulley might grasp its surface with sufficient tightness to hold it in place.
I assume as well that you have removed the inner fender splash shield to give you access to the front of the engine.
Roland