Don't give up, it WILL go on. Try again:
The lid goes on with it in the OPENED position.
Set one hinge on top of its bracket with the other hinge back away from the bracket.
Place the end of the spring in its slot.
Twist the lid in place putting the second hinge in place on its bracket.
I remember the first one I tried to put on . . . after a couple of hours of pushing, pulling, prying, sweating, cuss'n, etc., a buddy of mine stopped by and popped it on in a couple of seconds. It's not hard to do, but it IS hard to grasp the concept of how to do it without seeing it done.