Sidemount Spare Installation Problem

[Vic in E-TN]

I have been having a clearance problem installing the spare tire and wheel into the well. I ground off a little of the corners of the triangle and the studs. I lost some paint getting the tire into the well.

I thought of cutting the studs out of the triangle and using a piece of threaded rod through the front of the triangle after the tire is in the well. I would Loktite a lugnut to the outside end of the rod and put a nut on the back of the triangle after the stud is in.

Has anyone done this? Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Vic