The rest of the old USA-made machine just needs occasional lube, cleaning and it works just fine. WHat might work to get the cord to retract back into the machine?

Michael, April 2006

take apart, look for binding area on reel. Usually made of plastic and gets warped, you may be able to file the binding area down.
Lube, maybe dry dusty and needs some wd40
all else fails, purchase new reel, easy to install.
or
get reel completely unwound, and use vac without the retracting feature.

don pelvin, April 2006