Center Console door O ring fix

The o rings that act as hinges for the little door in the center console for my 1998 Z3 roasdster have failed. I bought new ones, but can't figure out how to get them around the rod that the door hinges on. The center part of the rod is a sleeve that I can slide back and forth, but not enough to get a gap to place the new o rings. Can anyone help me out?