You used the piece of scrap cut to the same length as the strut when the strut would be extended?
Looking at your pix, what would happen if you placed the lower part of the strut near the hinge and the upper strut away from the hinge?
Would it still allow the lid to be supported and closed but not have the hinge in the way of the wider opening?
Thank you for sharing your project details. This may be a project of mine in the next few weeks.