I am in the process of replacing my timing belt and water pump on my '96 Legacy Outback 2.5L. I had intended to replace the camshaft oil seals as a precaution but whereas the Haynes manual says you can hold the cam sprockets with a pair of large channel-lock pliers while loosening the sprocket bolt it looks as if a special tool is needed.
The cam sprockets appear to be plastic. All four have approx. a 2½" hex head molded into the face but on the driver's side the face of the sprocket is recessed so using pliers seems to be out of the question. The manual warns against trying to hold the sprocket with the timing belt.
Does anyone have any experience with gettng the cam sprockets off?
Ed P