Leaderboard

OBDII was federally-mandated for 1996. That's the one that is universal across all makes and models of gasoline vehicles in the US ever since, and you can buy a $15 bluetooth dongle to read codes and live data from your phone, or use a ScanGauge, or hundreds of other options. Some Subarus (I think all 2.2s) were OBDII compatible in 1995. But yea, vehicles before that still had On Board Diagnostics (OBD), and the ability to store and pull Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), and even read live data with the right reader (not universal). All things being equal, OBDII is great. But we're talking about 25 year old cars, now. So a 1994 that's been well maintained will be a much better buy than a 1996 that's been neglected.

i mark mine with a short action with say 3mm drill bit, drill a dimple in side of casing beside the fins of the outer carrier, then a dimple in fin next to it. Marks don't wipe away like paint marks do !

It's the opposite for the seals? The MT definitely has bearing reatainers that unscrew that hold the seals.

You should state MT or AT. You have to pull the trans out and remove the front diff to replace the bearings. The AT has side retaining rings and externally replaced seals, the MT does not. For preload - If you *locate* and tighten everything back to where it was you can get away without setting preload. Review the FSM procedure for bearing or front diff replacement. Mark the side retainers and count number of turns and the preload will theoretically be exactly what it was before you worked on it. A guy on here did just that - swapped front diffs and installed everything the same (counted number of turns of side retainers) and it worked fine. Did you price a new bearing yet? One of those front diff bearings is $100+ each. Replace the side seals while it’s apart - they’re directional so different part number each side. Definitely replace the seals if it’s an MT since they’re only accessible internally. AT can be done externally do they can be skipped snd replaced as needed.