Expansion valve installation tricks?
 

I've been at this for 4 hours now. If I connect the top 2, I can't get the thick hose at the bottom connected. If I connect the one on the bottom, I can't get either of the top 2 connected. I've tried about every combination of having the already connected fitting tight, half way, barely on by a thread... Anyone have any tricks I'm not thinking of? Tempted to give up and pay someone to connect 1 hose..

https://i.imgur.com/8HfLN9gh.jpg