DIY - Fix a Retractable Sewing Tape Measure

READ FIRST: This particular tape measure comes apart by prying off the top. Inward pressure from the cylindrical housing holds the lid on. Other lids are glued on. I don't have any advice for that, other than perhaps using a solvent to loosen the glue. Sometimes slowly and delicately prying it apart with a fine flathead screwdriver works, as long as you monitor its stress so it doesn't crack.

Need to fix a smaller version of a retractable tape measure? Here's a break down of the pieces inside, and how to reassemble. This may not cover what to do with a broken, missing, or malfunctioning piece, but in those cases, it will at least give you a break down of a working tape measure, from which you can hopefully interpret what steps to take.

When you initially wind the working spring with the intent to put it inside the plastic disc, it doesn't have to be "tight as you can get it." It only has to be tight enough that the outer diameter fits inside the disc's diameter.