lmdew

Hope all goes well. You can pull the lid apart and remove the struts from the piviot point. As noted, there is nothing under the counsel that would stop them from moving. Is something in the hinge?

If you get a small pin, push pin works well you can put it in the hole and move it. It's a little ball and socket.

There are shops that still surface rotors, just a little harder to find.

Loadpro if you are reading voltage your meter can lie to you unless the circuit has a load. Loadpro makes it easy to check the wiring, Opens, Shorts and High resistance. https://www.aeswave.com/LOADpro-Dynamic-Test-Lead-p8955.html

Do you have a good Subaru/Transmission shop near by? Might be worth having them take a look. At least you could get an idea of what's up. A friend had a 2013 Legacy that was giving him some issues. Shop said a Speed Sensor. I found a good PDF and he went to the yard and pulled the sensor. Swapped it out and all good so far.

I've changed and pulled them from several 96-99 Legacy Outbacks. Rust free CO, easy as can be. I have not done one on a Forester.

They are there for a reason. I'd keep them. You never know when someone pulls out in front of you.

Glad you got it!

Auto? spoob lock can be manually released. Manual, have someone rock the car while you try shifting it.

Both Auto and Manual you should be able to shift at the Trans. Could also disconnect the driveshaft. That would take care of the rear wheels. Put it on a dolly and haul it away.

Do you have the connectors in the harness to put it in the diagonsitc mode?

Drop the trans. Inspect the Clutch side. Test the trans. Replace as needed. As someone said earlier, check the trans gear fluid when you drain it.

A few cold IPA's and I would have headed out to help.

Get a rust free body! One of many problems to surface, I"m sure.

I didn't know you were coming out to CO.

Or ready to drive https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/denver-subaru-forester/7384107596.html

Here you go. This one and your parts. https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/denver-2001-subaru-forester-needs-case/7384135294.html

I post good ones on the USMB. I'm in Colorado Springs, but look pretty much around Colorado everyday. Good ones go Fast!

Quick trip to the junk yard or Subaru Dealer for a quick look. Not as nice a in your driveway but it's an option.

Upper trans to engine mount bolt has a bracket for the ground.

1+ on KYB.

Lot's of nice Rust Free ones out in Colorado. Happy to pick one up for you. Would even consider making the drive back. From Okauchee, WI back in the day. Family still in WI.

In the junk yards, I have pulled engines were I could not get all the TC bolts out. It's been years and I did not care what damage was done to the car/radiator support. Try pulling the plugs and rotating the crank in both directions with a large breaker bar.

I have a bunch of Subaru units that will plug right in. Your's for the costs of shipping from CO. Flat Rate USPS should be $20

Have Cash be ready to buy. Good ones go Fast! Get one from a rust Free State. I post good ones I see in CO on the USMB.