Leaderboard

I've disassembled outer joints by holding the entire shaft vertical, outer joint pointing up. Smack it down on a wooden workbench where the cup catches the edge and the weight of the rest of the shaft pulls it out of the c clip. Even easier if you have a V corner workbench. Also... mind where your toes are.

Injectors can be VERY loud. It's basically normal. If it's working... don't try to fix it.

there's at least 1 video showing dropped guides. I think a car has to have been quite neglected to have that happen though.

Burned valve and it would be shaking at idle , most likely show a misfire code. Compression test would show that. So far in over 30 years messing with subarus and I personally have not seen a dropped guide, even when I was dirt circle track racing and seriously over reving at times, the heads always held together... more than I can say for a few pistons though .

Yes, your car definitely has transfer clutches, which are controlled by a solenoid, usually called the Duty C solenoid. Does the FWD fuse change the symptoms? As I recall, the drum that the clutch plates ride in can get grooved or rusty, which can physically prevent the clutches from releasing. Otherwise the solenoid can stick, and sometimes the gasket that seals the solenoid to the case can leak, so fluid pressure is not held to the clutches. Typically best to just get everything. The dealership I worked at stocked it all, gasket for the case, solenoid, and gaskets for the solenoid (there's a spacer under it, and 2 gaskets, you'll have to replace both). If they have it in stock, they'll probably accept returns if you don't end up using it (make sure to ask first). As I recall the techs always asked for a little fluid tube back there, too. But the one time I did the job I didn't replace it, and I'm not 100% sure why they did (maybe someone else here will know).

vacuum leak or the timing off a tooth, both come to mind.