i tried with and without a key wedge. i tried both wheels on both sides. there is the same distance gap with both wheels put on both sides. the only advice i was given in this situation is to remove the rear and take it apart and shorten the axle. any suggestions are appreciated.
as long as you're sure that nothing is hitting something else and holding it out, it seems that your choices are to use a hub with more wear in the taper, use shorter axles, or ignore it. i don't see what harm it would cause to run it like that, as long as the hub is tight 