'97 Legacy Wagon from Oregon

[Cooper197]

So I guess I've really been a member on here for a few weeks now but never posted anything in this area.
Anyway back in January I bought my 1997 Legacy L Wagon (2.2L, 4spd auto) from my grandma with a whole 98,876 miles on it! Not too bad for your first car and especially one that is 15 years old I'd say! Since then I've put a bra on to cover up from some front end damage due to her, I installed new headlight lenses with 30,000k HID bulbs, I added some aftermarket heated seats, re-did the entire stereo with a JVC deck, Pioneer speakers and a 15" MTX sub in a custom box that I built for it, and most recently I threw on some new rims and tires.

Not done with the car yet, I still need to pick up a ski rack for this winter, and then start on the suspension and finish up with the engine and transmission (I'd love to have a manual instead of the auto that is currently there)

Also if anybody knows of a spacer I could put in the rear suspension to keep it from sagging, and more importantly keep the fenders from rubbing on the tires. The fenders have been rolled which makes the car drivable, however if you have any weight in the back forget it.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/DSCN3167-1.jpg

[MonstarMotorsports]

Half this board is from Oregon, so you should feel right at home :)

[Huffer]

Also if anybody knows of a spacer I could put in the rear suspension to keep it from sagging, and more importantly keep the fenders from rubbing on the tires. The fenders have been rolled which makes the car drivable, however if you have any weight in the back forget it.

First problem - the rear springs on a wagon are designed to resist sagging... so unless your tires are really pushed past the fender or your suspension is shot, a Paranoid Fabrications "saggy butt" spacer isn't going to help.

Those wheels look like 18x8s with a really wide tire...

[Cooper197]

First problem - the rear springs on a wagon are designed to resist sagging... so unless your tires are really pushed past the fender or your suspension is shot, a Paranoid Fabrications "saggy butt" spacer isn't going to help.

Those wheels look like 18x8s with a really wide tire...

They are 17x7's with 255/50/R17's. With just me in the car and rolled fenders I'm fine, however a few nights ago I had 5 people in there and the whole trip the back wheels were really rubbing. I'm sure it doesn't help that the box and sub weigh probably close to 200 lbs, but it sits a lot lower in the back than the front.

I suppose it is possible that the suspension is just shot, it is all original. I've been told the struts need to be replaced soon.

[Boxer Wagon]

I had 5 people in there and the whole trip the back wheels were really rubbing. I'm sure it doesn't help that the box and sub weigh probably close to 200 lbs, but it sits a lot lower in the back than the front.

I suppose it is possible that the suspension is just shot, it is all original. I've been told the struts need to be replaced soon.

The weight and people would definitely make it sag. As far as replacing the struts, for our cars it's usually cheaper to pick up some lightly used impreza/wrx/sti ones, along with wrx/sti or decent lowering springs like Tein H-techs. I got 07 struts + tein s-techs, then traded the s-techs for h-techs. Total cost minus gas: $150.

If you need help with fitment for struts/springs, go here: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14185 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14185)

Welcome to the forum!

[Cooper197]

As far as replacing the struts, for our cars it's usually cheaper to pick up some lightly used impreza/wrx/sti ones, along with wrx/sti or decent lowering springs like Tein H-techs. I got 07 struts + tein s-techs, then traded the s-techs for h-techs. Total cost minus gas: $150.

Would this lower the car? I don't care much about the height of the car to be totally honest, the tires are just so close that unless the fenders get pushed out more the fenders will just drop on the tires. One idea that a friend brought up (we could be totally wrong please correct me if we are!) is that the Outback springs are probably larger or stiffer than the Legacy springs, so technically, if this is correct I could swap the rear springs out with ones off of an Outback and potentially solve my problem.