In order to get the carrier turned 180° so it's in the correct position the exhaust has to be dropped. Once that's out of the way, all that needs to be done is remove the two bolts, the driveshaft will droop, rotate the carrier and bolt it back up. If the shaft center won't drop enough to rotate it, you'd have to disconnect it at the rear diff.

If the bearing and rubber is damaged, the rubber has been stressed for sure, then the driveshaft would be replaced. The dealer isn't going to be able to change just the carrier bearing.

 

The only damage I could imagine is the carrier bearing and rubber. You’re lucky that the carrier didn’t become loose and fall.

In my opinion, they should replace your driveshaft for you. Luckily, this unit doesn’t have to move much.

 

The bushing looks still good to me. I don’t think you need to worry about the surface flaking off a bit. I would look for a compressed or torn bushing (both I don’t see in the picture). Just rotate the carrier bearing.

 

Only been 4K miles, call the deal's service manager and tell them about this, They should fix it for free.

 

I have, and have an appt. The service advisor said on the phone, "That can't happen", like I was lying to them. Obviously not a mechanic.

 

I will say, about 8 years ago when NAPA got me a drive shaft for my 05 Legacy GT, it didn't fit, as it was for an Outback, which has a taller carrier bearing support. So the shaft sits higher in the chassis. The shaft NAPA got hit the resonator, as I removed the heat shield years ago.

Here's the after market shaft I got, for my Legacy GT. Not sure I have installed pictures.

 

Got this off the web.

Subaru outback driveshaft installed - Google Search