I have a pair of nice double wall Araya wheels off an 81 Pro-Miyata with a spoke problem. The metal o-rings that seal the gaps left between the nipple and the holes in the rim are unseated on several spokes. The rings look like they just press in place, but I can't seem to get them back in.

Is there a way to reinstall these without completely removing the spoke nipples? If not, could I remove all of them and cut them off with bolt cutters? The only purpose I see that they could serve is to either reinforce the rim holes (obviously can't remove them) or to keep water out.

Thanks in advance