Next try was to move the bracket to the bottom of the strut. This allowed the use of the socket head bolts again and gave the link more of an angle from the door to pull when retracted. However there was binding of the link on both ends of the retract cycle due the hinge lines of the trunion and door not being parallel.
Next try was to stack bushings under the ball link to move it away from the strut to help alignment through the retract range of motion.
This geometry worked to get the door closed and just cleared the air cylinder when closed.
View from the rear when open
Discarded mock up brackets.