Can someone tell me if the rod bearings on the 2.5 can be changed through the pan or if the engine would have to be removed and dismantled?

no. you have to split the block.

Make sure it's the rod bearings first. A cracked flexplate or failed timing belt tensioner can make similar noises.

Thanks a lot for the responses.  I just had a little brass flaking in the engine oil.  A full time Subie mechanic told me it would have to be the rod bearings past the babbit.  I don't have any noise and the engine runs near perfect.  I thought if I could check them through the pan, I'd take a look and probably replace them with the pan off.

 

I thought maybe with the crank rotating the journal down on each I could get at the cap nuts, but apparently not.

 

He told me the only brass in the engine would be the rod bearings, but I was wondering about the cam bushings/bearings.  Is there a chance the flakes are coming from one of those or are those roller bearings?

Edited May 28, 201312 yr by farmer

Cams run directly in the aluminum of the head, no bearings at all.

 

Is it making bad noises yet?

Thanks Mason.  No noises at all.  It runs like a engine in nice shape after working out some of the sensor problems.  It's perfectly quiet, even at start up.

I put a direct pressure oil gauge on my Subie, thinking if this was bearing wear putting the brass specs in the oil, I should have a somewhat lower pressure reading. 

 

I have 32 at idle (700 rpms) and 76 at 3500 rpms.  It doesn't seem like it should be that high with worn bearings. Still perfectly quiet and runs great.