Help with 323 alloy wheels

[blkfordsedan]

I bought a set of the 323 "pepper shaker" alloy wheels from Arnie last week. They have 175/50R13 tires and fit like a glove...........except for one problem:

On the rear axle, the center dust cap actually sticks out past the outer surface of the wheel. I could not install the flush-fitting aluminum center caps on the back wheels.
I removed the dust cap completely, but the center spindle stub shaft still sticks out about 1.5mm too far and will not let the center cap fit flush. Should I:

A) add a spacer behind the wheel?

or

B) trim the end of the stub shaft with a cut-off tool?

Anyone else w/323 alloys have this problem?

[FestYboy]

spacer... unless you want the rear to rotate more, in which case trim the spindle.

[fastivaca]

Typical problem. Before I bought the spacers I just installed the center cap from the Festiva alloys.

[leapin]

1/4 Spacer!

[blkfordsedan]

What type of spacers did you guys use? Can they be used with the lug bolts, or do I have to convert to lug nuts? I thought of putting washers behind the wheels, since they center on the hub pretty nice, but the way the wheels are made I don't think washers would work.

I love the shorter 175/50-13 tires! The speedo is about 5 MPH off, but I gained a noticeable increase in low RPM power around town. I drive around 2600-2700 RPM on the highway in 5th, but that equates to about 60MPH now instead of 65. My average MPG per tank went from 43 to 46 and it pulls hills easier as well. It just takes me a few minutes longer to get where I'm going.

[fastivaca]

Check out this thread. It has some comments on the spacer...

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29250