Zebco 33 Classic Feather Touch. Don't Throw That Zebco Away. Fix it!

Fix the drag wheel on a Zebco 33 Classic, Feather Touch. How to repair and service a reel.

[@pawpaw5717]

Truly one of best instructors. The Zebco guru.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

thanks. I love these reels. I am still learning though.

[@ken48827]

Disregard that last comment! Great video and I learned a lot today. Have over 15 Zebcos and they all get serviced! Subscribed.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks. Glad i could help.

[@davidw.8807]

Happy 4th Matthew, Ty for the vid! That was my Dad's reel too, alot of fond memories of him fishing with that reel... God Bless!!!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Right on

[@gorilla1789]

Look like a classic craftsman screwdriver

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I do have some vintage tools I inherited from my Father-in-law. Best tools ever. I love USA made tools. Best!

[@rycutshair]

Man Mr.Matt, I can’t thank you enough for fixing this for me, and the video makes it so much better! Have a happy fourth man !

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You too!

[@adnacraigo6590]

😢You have the best Zebco instructions.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks!

[@MarvHeemeyer2004]

This Zebco is probably the smoothest I’ve ever owned, And I still fish with it. I’ve even caught a 7 lb bass with it

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Do you have a Zebco 33? What year? I am really impressed with any of the Omega Reels, vintage or modern.

[@MarvHeemeyer2004]

@@OutFishing13Matthew it’s that exact model. I also have the brown label but I’m retiring it

[@TheBarkingSpider77]

Would love a tutorial on servicing a classic feathertouch ul4. That anti reverse setup nearly broke my mind.😂

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I might have a UL4. I will check.

[@tad3716]

Great to see you Matthew. Very helpful tutorial. Wishing you and your family a Safe and Happy Fourth! Tad

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Same to you!

[@robertmceuen3630]

Great teacher! I love Zebco, and have many. Couple 33's, an 888.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I fish with the 888 for channel catfish. Great reel.

[@wadeanderson9032]

Great video...Can you do one on a zebco 270 BRUTE REEL ...Thank you

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

I would love to, but I need to get one first. Do you have one? It is a lot like an 808. Send me an email to [e-mail] and maybe we could work something out.

[@sterlinghancock1157]

I have my Dad’s Zebco 33 and I have broken a plastic piece while disassembling Iwish to send to you for repair. How do go about that

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Will you send me a photo of the reel and the broken part to [e-mail]? Thanks.

[@timrobinson2863]

I have a couple of 33 Classic reels that need the spinner cone replaced. The “rubber” part on top of the cone has deteriorated and is falling apart. Where can I buy replacement spinner cones?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Zebco does not carry parts that old. You will have to do what we all do. Fix the rubber break See one of my other videos.

[@roy1m664]

Thanks for sharing! 1? Would you ever consider doing repairs and services on other reels as business! You would be awesome! Just curious!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

If I had the time, but shipping it to expensive

[@user-ve6qs5ry2i]

Matthew, Ed Hear would you take this reel out for let's say six-hour fishing trip I have four of them and just want your opinion, thanks

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

You bet i would. My son uses his quite a bit

[@paulurbanus3598]

At the 5:53 mark you pull out the main drive shaft. My reel is hard to wind and now I know why - the main shaft bearing is frozen. Even worse, the main shaft is frozen to the bearing, so the main shaft can't be removed with the bearing frozen to it. I've doused the bearing with PB Blaster (from the rear, inaccessible from front). The only thing I can think to do is let the Blaster soak in, then rock the shaft back & forth by cranking forward/backward repeatedly. There's a balance between cranking hard enough to work the shaft loose of the bearing and working it too hard and breaking the case or crankshaft gear. Any suggestions on how resolve this issue? Also, what's the best source for parts for older Zebco reels? I have a collection of various 33's I'm trying to get back in service.

[@paulurbanus3598]

Finally got the main drive shaft off after flooding with PB Blaster and working crank back & forth for about 20 minutes. After cleaning and lubricating, reel was real smooth. While putting back together, the yellow plastic/hard rubber ring on the front of the spinnerhead assembly broke. Not sure how critical this is, looks like it keeps the line from getting tangled. But it might be OK without it. Zebco part number is RY310-1. What's the best place to get a replacement. I found one, but without the hard rubber/plastic piece that's broken on mine. The Zebco exploded parts drawing doesn't show the plastic part as a separate item.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@paulurbanus3598 I was just reading your previous post. Glad you got that bearing off. You can fix the spinner cone assembly rubber line brake with a grommet, big o-ring or big washer from the hardware store. Some guys have been using the washer from a 1 1/2 pipe for sinks? The best place to get used parts is joint the Zebco Shop and Swap Facebook page and post what you need. There are few guys that have lots of older parts and price them reasonably.

[@greghudson1489]

At 2:50, and 13:05, the plastic washer... Any idea where to get a replacement for those? I have a couple of 33s that those washers yellowed and crumbled apart.

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Have you tried to contact Zebco.com? Although those parts are not in production, you may be able to find a part that is compatible. Or try the facebook page Zebco Shop and Swap. facebook.com/groups/387880111984612 Another option is to make your own from teflon sheet. You can order them in thicknesses of 0.005", 0.010", 0.015" and 0.020.

[@greghudson1489]

I can't find the teflon sheets you describe, online. How are they listed /described?@@OutFishing13Matthew

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@greghudson1489 look on grainger or Amazon. Maybe McMaster Carr. I just searched for Teflon sheet

[@markdavis1363]

Good morning Matthew! I really like your videos,very helpful. I love my zebco reels. Question for you,is the zebco 733 just as good as the 888 for good size catfish, 20 lbs or more? Thank you for your help .

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Up to 20 pounds I feel like the 733 would be just as good, but you will find that the 888 is much stronger.

[@ken48827]

My anti reverse is gummed up and didn't see how you got that apart. any suggestions?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

Did you figure it out?

[@ken48827]

Yep. Disassembled and soaked in dawn and ammonia water then reassembled and gave it a few drops of reel oil only. Works like a charm! @@OutFishing13Matthew

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@ken48827 well done!

[@Shankdaddy16]

What can I do if the plastic line stop on the front of the line pickup cap goes bad and starts cracking? Sections of the ring on mine have cracked and fallen off. Would an o ring of similar thickness amd diameter glued to the cap face work?

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

yes, that will work. I don't know why, but certain years, Zebco used some sort of material that just rotted over time. See this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH-3nKWtgtuMo6c

[@Shankdaddy16]

@@OutFishing13Matthew Thank you!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

@@Shankdaddy16 you are welcome. Hope the repair goes well.

[@Shankdaddy16]

@@OutFishing13Matthew The remaining line brake wouldn’t budge so I decided to use a little bit of epoxy to reattach the two small pieces that came off. They fit back on just fine and it’s actually working again. It’s not the best long term solution but I figure if the rest of the brake held on I may as well see if this works. I’ll get a replacement piece at the hardware store next time in case it breaks again. If I can find a way to 3D print one I would definitely like to try that as well.

[@Shankdaddy16]

Update: the epoxy failed and it fell apart again so I’m going to find a rubber grommet or o ring to replace it. I also noticed that the reel does still work without the rubber piece but I’m not sure how it would effect the line long term.

[@lancerudy9934]

Lighting is very bad! Can not see your work!

[@OutFishing13Matthew]

thanks for pointing that out. I will work on that.

[@dylanclay2741]

I can see perfectly fine. Maybe it's your vision or crappy screen