Susie
HI and welcome to all of us who have Maytag wringers. Try this, it may take a couple of times. To separate the rollers, 1. make sure the "Push to release" bar has been pushed. 2. Pull the entire top of the wringer head up. 3. Watch on either side that you haven't pulled it up too much, ( there are 2 pin like affairs, one on each side that lines the roller up. 4. Turn the tension bar clockwise 1/4 of a turn until it clicks and there you have it. The top roll is now up and not touching the bottom roller.
To "set" the wringer for use. 1.While holding the top head up a bit with your fingers, while the big part of your thumb pushes down on the release bar. 2 push the tension lever counterclockwise and lower it. When you have it down, turn the tension bar to tighten the wringer for use. It will take a couple of times for you to get used to the process but works every time. I hope this helps? Gary