Need some help with silver champions

Building the kit and using the online Lego directions but I can’t figure out wtf I’m doing wrong. I’ve disassembled it twice and each time I’m carefully checking the placement of the pieces holding the raising canopy upright. No matter what I do when I push it down it just automatically wants to raise back up due to the struts. Unless I’m missing something I don’t see a way to lock it in place and then unlock using the yellow lever. I’m hoping someone has some idea of if I did something wrong...