Repair Zebco 808 Anti-Reverse and Set Gear Lash

[@bugbomb8048]

We all had 202’s as kids..... one kid showed up with a 404 and wow it was what we thought was huge. He showed up with an 808 the following year and we all called it the crane ....... non of us ever really thought about buying our own we just marveled at his and went on fishing....

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

That's great!

[@danieldeneau7802]

Big Bomb - Bet he never caught a fish big enough to justify those bigger reels, but being young didn't we all dreamed of catching a monster 👹

[@catfish-jl5go]

@@danieldeneau7802what. Is. S. Zebco.

[@AEStudt]

Enjoy your instructional video very well done I have many zebco reels I maintain

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@johnaultman6970]

Thank you Matthew. I’ve been working on this reel for two hours trying to find out why the anti reverse wouldn’t work. I watched your video and fixed it in five minutes!! Got you another subscription. Keep on cranking out those videos and sharing your wisdom. Thank you again sir.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You are welcome. Thanks for the sub!

[@eduardocuellar5870]

Thanks for the video, learned a lot. I have several 33s, 33 max , and boss hawg 808. On my 33 max it is salt grade edition dunked in salt water cleaned it up and is as smooth as day I got it. I noticed it is all bushings. I will try to do a tune up on it by adding stainless steel bearings.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Right on! I am not 100% positive the bearing for the 33Max Gold are stainless. But you can find stainless steel ones on Ebay for the 33 Max. Search for: SMR148ZZ (8x14x4mm) 440c Stainless Steel Ball Bearing

[@toneseeker4968]

I'm glad I found your channel. I'm 61 and picked up fishing again (after about a 35 year hiatus) about a year ago, and, now, it's all I can think about. I currently live in San Antonio, but grew up in Houston/Galveston. I bought a lot on the water on Carancahua Bay, which is part of Matagorda Bay on the Texas coast between the cities of Port Lavaca and Palacios. The main fish I go after are Reds, Specks (sea trout), and Flounder. Of course, any thing can bite there at any time, including Triple Tail, Sharks, and even Sea Turtles. But, long way to say that all I fish with are Zebco spin cast reels, the saltwater models. I just bought the Zebco Big Cat SC, and have high hopes for it. I'm hoping it's a a good SC reel, but don't know when I'll be down there again to check it out. Hopefully I'll get some good tidbits from your channel and help me maintain these reels so I can get a good long use out of them....lol. Thank you for posting!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You are welcome. Here's a good Zebco salt water reel. Look on ebay for a ZEBCO 33 MAX SALTFISHER. That looks like a gem dandy salt water reel. Also the vintage 808 is totally corrosion resistant if you can find one for a decent price. Or a vintage 888.

[@donnadixon8991]

thank you for the video...i learn something ever time....................god bless..........

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Glad to help

[@fernandocr8363]

tengo un carrete igual pero me gustaría saber mas su característica zebco 808

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Buena idea. Tendré que hacer otro video 808.

[@williamgreenleaf7477]

Matthew, your videos are great. I’ve super tuned my newer 33 last summer and wow! Now I’m thinking of getting an 808 for salt water fishing and of course, will want to super tune that as well. Do I use the same size bearings as you used on this 808 on a recent manufacture one? Thanks, take care.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Yes. They are the same. See my latest 808 video where I super tune a 2021 808. They are nice! Contact me. I have some bearings I can sell you.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqbcoq2tn92qqJI

[@talonreaper]

That UZ062-01 part is EXACTLY what I need to save my newer 808 reel. I can't find it anywhere! Do you have any recommendations for where to buy Zebco parts? I'd hate to toss my reel due to a $0.05 part but mine is worn out and no longer holds enough tension for it to move with the drive gear to actuate the anti-reverse pawl. It seems like a bad design for the plastic to rub against it constantly but also need to occasionally hold tension to move the pawl..

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Did you call Zebco? I don't think I have a spare

[@markzavesky8539]

@@OutFishing13Matthew I'm in the same boat as talonreaper - can't find anyone online who has the part, says they are discontinued. I've reached out to Zebco through their website hoping they still have some.

[@markzavesky8539]

May just be a problem today, but the parts website tackleservice.com is down and cannot be reached. Will keep trying.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@markzavesky8539 It is down for good. I guess I need to go through all my videos and change those details. Call Zebco.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@markzavesky8539 I hope so too. I don't even know if I have one in my spare parts box.

[@BubbaThaumaturge]

I hope you're still around. I'm having trouble getting the part. Tackle service isnt online any more. Any suggestions on where else to order that part from?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

It was so disappointing when TackleServices shut down (change of owners). You might try Mikes Reel Repair. What are you looking for?

[@stevetx9301]

Thanks for the video. I just bought a new 808 combo. The drag only works if I hold the handle. I read the reel has a Quickset Anti Reverse but I have not found the toggle or anyway to activate the anti reverse. Even a small weight will cause the line to come out as if the reel is free-spooling or something. What am I missing? Thank you in advance, Steve

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

The bite alert switch will engage the anti-reverse. It is near the handle. Push it to Off and that will engage the AR.

[@AlanMaples-i1v]

What years was this model produced?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Not exactly sure, but in the 2000's. They are nice reels.

[@mattshine1168]

Do you accept the reels sent to you for repair?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

It depends. Let's talk. Send me an email to [e-mail]

[@raymyers6522]

Do you know n e one that has parts for a zebco 55 heavy duty reel, I need the anti reverse switch

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Hi, The best place to hunt for rare parts like that is Zebco Shop and Swap on Facebook. There are guys that have spare parts. facebook.com/groups/387880111984612

[@frankysmith1788]

How do I replace gears in that same reel where can I find the gears,seem as thou they are stripping

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Franky, That is a great question. Is the gear slipping when you turn it? Unfortunately they do not sell the gear sets for most reels. What is the exact model you have? It will be on the foot. There is something you can do though to correct the problem. First, make sure the wedged bearing retainer is installed correctly on your 808. Is it? That is the little wedge that sits next to the bearing on the right side of the handle shaft. It should have the flat part facing towards the gear bearing and main gear. Next, if that is correct, then you have too much gear lash. The shaft should have a small shim washer between the handle gear and the bearing/bushing. Is that missing or is it there? What you can do to solve the problem is add a very thin washer in addition to that shim washer. That will close the gap and tighter the gear lash and should give you some more life on your reel. Feel free to contact my on my ABOUT page with additional questions.

[@benwilson409]

Can you supertune a 404?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

No. All the bushings on a 404 are built in the frame.

[@benwilson409]

@@OutFishing13Matthew thanks great work

[@robertedwardn]

I need the anti reverse on my Zebco 808 saltwater fixed. Where can I send you my reel? Thanks.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Generally I don't do reel repairs. The shipping back and forth can be up to $20. But if you are willing to send it, it might be a simple fix. Can you send me an email? Send one to [e-mail]. I'd like to see a photo of your reel to see if the parts are still available.

[@jsully4064]

Hey Matthew, interesting videos you have on the Zebco reels. Have a Zebco 808 Salt Fisher and the anti-reverse stopped working intermittently on it after a few uses in saltwater. Use it mainly for a sabiki rod. Watched this video and took apart my made in china 808 Salt fisher and it was pretty much the same except some minor differences (no screws holding the handle shaft bushings in place, just press fitted together). So all the parts looked okay, nothing broken, including the anti-reverse actuator. When put back together and observing the actuator work. The anti-reverse worked every time when I pulled the handle shaft to the left. There is a little play to move the handle shaft. Tried ordering some shims from tackleservice.com and it says they are on backorder. Any idea what the problem may be? Bought this new and it was never taken apart before. Thanks for your help....Jim

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

It is hard to diagnose it without seeing it. The bushings could be worn out a little so that the AR pawl and actuator dont engage properly.

[@jakeaskew8799]

What is the retainer clip you used for the bearing?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You don't need one. I found that the 808 Magnum had a top retainer and ordered them for my reel. I really don't think you need them though.

[@coolboy9666]

How can I troubleshoot my 808 to see if this is the actual problem without having to take it completely apart?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

is the anti-reverse working? You can take the front and back off and inspect it without taking it all apart. If the actuator is broken you will have to take it all apart to fix it.