I recently installed new 18 inch wheels and my rear wheels, although having a fresh alignment, are uneven. One wheel is sunken in more then the other wheel.

Also the wheel that is sunken in can't be fitted with a center cap. I have come to speculate that the axle nut at the hub is tightened too much which pushes the wheel "in" towards the center of the vehicle. This prevents the center cap from being put on, because the axle is pushed too far out of the axle castle nut.

If this is true, should I remedy it by loosening the sunken side's nut? Or should I tighten the other side that is not as sunken in?

I was wondering if anyone is having this sort of problem.

Thanks in advance

Wheel specs.

Rota p45r 18x 9.5 +20 all around

 

Post pics so we can see exactly what's going on. Don't loosen your axle nut.

 

As per request.



Driver's side. Sticks out slightly more than the passenger side.



Almost as if the camber was way off on the passenger side, but I just got it aligned at a performance shop (COBB Tuning). They both have the same degree of camber and toe in.


Castle nut w/ cotter pin and the axle shaft stud that I believe is poking out to the point that I can't put on the center cap.

 

You can turn the cotter pin sideways to give you a little more room, and you could even grind the threadless part of the axle tip down to make more. Your hub bearing would be dead already if it had "pulled through" The wheels being off center could be control arm bushing, or subframe bushings....looks like a quick and easy fix to get the center cap on at least.

 

Bumpage. Also, I am wondering how the other rear wheel is able to put on the center cap.

 

I have the same issue with my drivers side front. I took it to 2 alinement shops to get some porfessional oppions on it and both said they can find nothing wrong, not even bad bushings. I have since gave up. But I can still put my caps on, wheel just sits out farther on that side only I can notice it.

 

car was most likely in a previous accident, caused the rear subframe slightly tweaked, or the body was tweaked.

 

That's what I was thinking. I had a car accident where the quarter panel on the opposite side from the impact moved outward like that but had no visible creases or bends anywhere.