Rear Suspension on a '97 Legacy

[Cooper197]

Okay so I'm sure somebody else has ran into this before.
I have a 1997 Legacy that is relatively stock, no major upgrades. I did however put big wheels on it.
I'm running 17x7's on 215/55R17's. The back of the car has always sagged a bit (all original suspension!) and when you have a couple people in the back now the fenders rub on the tires pretty bad. What are my options within the suspension? I've thought about swapping the springs and struts out with those from a Forrester or an Outback in hopes of bringing that up a bit. I'm not real keen on the idea of lowering the car since I live on a dirt road, and it seems like that would make the problem worse but any input you guys have on this would be awesome.

[Huffer]

Install newer factory Legacy GT springs, 98-99 if you can, with KYB GR2 struts. Get a complete set of springs so your front/rear are properly matched.

[Cooper197]

E-Bay is prbably the best place to find this?

[Huffer]

Could be, but any Subaru parts retailer can get you the springs.

[98legwag]

Part of it is that you are running a big and wider tire than stock. The wheels are probably offset closer to the fender too.

[Cooper197]

Yeah I know they are bigger, and that if I didn't go that big the problem wouldn't exist. However I got a good enough deal on what was there that I still have a couple hundred dollars to do something before I hit the same price as all seasons on the old rims. And those needed to be replaced.

[Huffer]

215/55 R17 isn't a big deal. On a stock vehicle that shouldn't change the scrub radius unless the offset is considerably different. If the offset is lower than 48 you'll definitely run into problems staying inside the rear fender. 48+ works better.

I have seen some people who took ET45 wheels and had 5mm shaved off the inside face (the part that sits on the rotor) and that was enough. They still ran the same tires but didn't have to roll the rear fender to avoid rubbing under load.

[Cooper197]

I'm not really sure what the offset is, I bought the rims on Craigslist. I know that before I rolled the fenders it was awful. Even without anybody in the back seat I they would hit at any little bump which made it virtually un-drivable. Rolling the fenders made a significant change, but I think I am going to try some spacers on the back since it also sags a bit.