I have three of these reels and I did the ball bearings on all three of them they are so much smoother it's like they're a brand new reel all over again thank you for the video
Cheers Matt ! Over in the Uk 🇬🇧 . Have just tuned my 33 with stainless bearings .. excellent upgrade ..got a bullet reel from US too ! Both for pike fishing ! Tight lines ! 👌…
Thank you for your video, I ordered the bearings from amazon and just finished installing them, it went just like you did it, can’t wait to try it out this weekend 🎣
Just bought one of these for 3 dollars at a fisherman's flea market and plan of doing this after watching your video. Going to order some ceramic bearings from my local hobby shop and going to polish up the outside case. It's going to be a fun little project. Your video will make it a pretty easy job. Thanks for posting the tutorial.
Great info, Matt! I have a new 33 that I was having a problem with (spinnerhead assembly issue) I ordered the parts from Zebco, and after seeing this video ordered bearings from Amazon. Now I have a better reel than I started with (haven't put it in the water yet, but tests appear positive!). I recently bought a Zebco Roam Spincast reel. It is based on the 33, and the most of the parts are the same. The Roam has 3 bearings, 1 anti-reverse bearing, and 1 bushing (at the spinnerhead), so I decided to replace the bushing with a bearing. FYI, easiest thing to do is simply unscrew the spinnerhead and use a pick to reach into the holes in the bushing and pull the bushing out. I installed the new bearing, and reattached the spinnerhead. Now I have a "super tuned" Roam! Also, I kept the broken spinnerhead from the 33, one of the 2 pickups was staying "out" (probably a spring issue, but I don't know how to go about fixing it.) I discovered that you can remove the ceramic pins with pliers, so I removed the pin from the side that was sticking and will use it for an "emergency" repair should the need arise. Thanks again for the info!
Thanks for sharing. I have heard those Roams are nice reels. There must be a missing or broken spring on that spinner head. Removing the pin is a good trick.
Great breakdown video! Thanks! For the record, those are bearing races: the ball bearings themselves are inside. Admittedly it's not a big deal, but you'd call one race "some ball bearings" not "a ball bearing." Thanks again!
this is fantastic!! I never would have thought of this, and that's pretty sad because I've been fishing my whole life and have been a technician for 30-plus years. And this just never occurred to me. Thank you for the video I have one of my 33 he's taken apart now because the bait clicker seems to be engaged all the time no matter what so it spins backwards all the time. It's a pain
@@OutFishing13Matthew I'm not sure what is broken but sometimes it will catch and not real backwards and other times it'll just wind right out in reverse so I'm guessing it has to do with the bait Clicker
OutFishing13 I bought the ones from zebco warehouse. The total was under 10 bucks, 1.10 each for the bearings. Less than 10 bucks with shipping. The part #’s you gave were spot on.
Hello Matthew, love your videos. Like you, I really like fishing with spincast reels. I have several Zebco’s and a couple of others like Johnson and Daiwa, but I definitely prefer Zebco’s, especially the older ones. I have watched many of your videos and been able to “rebuild” many of my reels because of you. I recently rebuilt a couple of vintage 33’s including a Classic Feathertouch and a couple of RL3’s that I have. They all work as good as (or better than) new now. I also watched your video about making a reel “better” by adding additional ball bearings. I like the older Zebco’s better than the new ones even though I own both. My question to you is, which vintage Zebco reel is the “best” reel to do the rebuild on? If you wanted to rebuild or improve a Zebco’s reel by adding ball bearings and you could only do one reel, which reel would you choose? Would it be the 733 or the Omega or the Authentic or some other reel? Or would you choose one of the “newer” reels? As info, I live in Georgia and I fish for bass, crappie, bream and catfish. Thank you again.
I'd do the older 33 Authentic super tune. Or the 733. You can get those 33 Authentics for a good price and replace 3 bearings and have a very nice reel. But it can't beat an Omega, but it's fun to do.
I got a 33 tactical i kinda love that little pole and reel i have found 3 zebco 33 poles and reels people just leave stuff on the river and found one up in a tree lmao
Nice information . Wish I could’ve seen that tricky area a little more clearly but Im sure I can get by. You should pass this information on to Zebco. I dont know anyone that wouldn’t pay 5 bucks extra for that.
The Ey030-01 bearing is unavailable, literally everywhere and the alternative kind of pricey SR188ZZ, I had to pay $13 for 5 of them off Amazon and from China. But, I only paid $4 for the reel at a liquidation store, hehehe. It is a good little reel though, absolutely. Casts like a bullet. Great video, I like it.
I have seen the ones on Ebay and Amazon cheaper than that. I think tackleservice.com will get more, since they are used in the new 2020 33. If they are cleaned and lubed properly the bushing works great.
@@OutFishing13Matthew I did too, but this is also Canada, so things are a bit more expensive. And some of the ones I saw were not the same size (measured in mm and when converted, not the same size as the ones he said to use). I wanted to be 100% sure, so I only went for ones that said the exact measurements he quoted. I agree, I thought about that too, maybe I would just lube and clean the bushings and maybe that would be o.k., sure, I think so. But, I found the bearings and they weren't "terrible" priced so I took the leap. The wife seems to like the idea, it's her rod and reel. The problem I ran into on Amazon was, I could get cheaper too, but only 2 bearings and I need three. The next size up was 5 and perfect, I don't need 10 of them. 5 was only about 3 bucks more than 2 was from another seller and free shipping (unlike Ebay, they wanted $20 by the time you're done, for 10 bearings, not even 440c stainless, just chromed). The ones I got were exactly what he said, 440 stainless steel.
@@OutFishing13Matthew I believe it was actually, only about $11 for 5 bearings, "plus tax" which almost brought it to $13 ($12.50 out the door in the end). So, if you take what he said "about $5 in upgrades", that's right in line with what I paid for 3 bearings, about $6. I just have two spares now, lol.
The Zebco 33 MAX, these bearings do not fit. The bearing on the main shaft that comes on it IS, but all the bushings are smaller, not allowing you to fit the bearings in any other spots, without reeming the holes out... which I'm not too sure on either.
Great guide, I did tune mine, an it works great! I was wanting to know if there is a way to super tune a Zebco 404, I just recently bought one at walmart an your vid came up, so I worked on my 33. Thanks for your help!
Thanks for watching. That's great you tuned your reel up. No, a 404 cannot be super tuned. The bushing are molded as part of the frame. You can super tune a 33, 808, 888, 33 Max, and a 733 by adding additional ball bearings. The new 33s are easy to super tune.
I have the 33k . I was able to install 2 bearings but tried to replace the one with the bearing clip/retainer with no luck . Wouldn’t fit flush. So kept the plastic bushing on that part.
had the same problem, so i removed 1 or 2 of the thin washers and then it worked. i did 2 new reels and 1 was fine. manufacture tolerancen the housing probably.
Awesome Video! My wife and I love Zebco! She has a 202 on a light action rod and has a blast with it!!!! I have 2 33’s I’m looking to upgrade and this video is perfect! Can someone post the part number for me? Thank you!
So is a platinum the same internals but with factory included steel bearings? I just super tuned a red custom z one right now and it spins so smooth now!
The 2021 platinum is not the same inside anymore. The olders ones were mostly the same, but with bearings. One difference is a brass pinion and aluminum frame.
Hi, I went to Amazon and found these. There are 5 bearing in the package for 7.89 and there are 7 left. I searched for SR188ZZ. Here is the link. smile.amazon.com/uxcell-Stainless-4-inchx1-2-inchx1-Shielded/dp/B07XYPCXBK/ref=sr_1_1?
What's the Zebco hierarchy between all the 33s? There are SOOO many that I don't know which one to get. I want to get one of the better ones over just the standard. For example, is the "Gold" above "Platinum" or is it the other way around? Are they all the same and its just marketing wank? So many versions!
hey that is a great question. From lowest grade to highest: Zebco 33 Zebco 33 Gold Zebco 33 Platinum It isn't a marketing gimmick. There is a difference in quality. More ball bearings as they get better. Platinum has stainless bearings and a brass pinion gear, better handle grips and push button and is faster for 2021.
@@OutFishing13Matthew Excellent. Thank you. I watched a few more of your videos and guessed that was the pecking order. I'm going to order me a platinum tonight. I'm going to get back into fishing and want something nice.
@@Spectt84 awesome. You will love that reel. I don't have a service video for that exact model, but I do have one for the 33 PL model made before that one. Nearly exactly the same.
Matt would happin to have a spar a Bearing keeper one of the reels I both from ebay has a keeper missing I tired every were to get one no luck can you help so i can go fishing I'm 79 years old in a Wheel Chair Please love your video,s
Great video. I super tuned two of these, the ball baring that was on the 33k ladies was open (balls showing) so I replaced that baring as well. Both were new reels. I’m having trouble with the line not reeling in sometimes when there’s no tension on the line. Took apart and made sure there wasn’t to much grease. Any idea on what could be going on? Had briefly tested the reel before I super tuned it but not enough to notice if this was a preexisting problem.
@@p3purr the problem you have described is is generally a problem with the spinner head or the line being to old. Since it is new, I can't imagine it being the spinner head. That is not an uncommon issue when the line is old and there is no tension on the line. I suggest you get some new line and respool it with 10# test. Try it while fishing or put it on a rod and test it with a small weight in an open space.
@@p3purr I always put tension on the line when you start reeling in so the line will wind on the spool otherwise your line will twist creating a birds nest inside the cap stopping it from casting very far if any. (hope that makes sense)
I mean it's a button caster that line makes a 90 degree angle change at the pickup pin rubs and twists under tension while retrieving, not the best for lure fishing for larger species.
All spinning reels and spin casters do that to the line and put a twist in it every time you reel or cast. The only way to get away from that is to use a bait caster. Then if you use a spinner type lure, you can get twist even with using a level wind or a bait caster. It's just part of the game.
The spinnerheads in my Zebcos want to rust quickly even though I rinse the salt off every time. Any suggestions? My old Zebcos from the 70's lasted a long time in salt water.
Interesting. I suppose you could spray the spinner with a little WD-40. Other than that, I would recommend that you get an 808 Saltfisher from Ebay or see if you can find the 33 Max Salt. Both those are made for saltwater.
If it’s possible to fit 2 ball bearings on each side of reel would adding 2 instead of 1 work better? I ask because a zebco 11 I have had a spacer that’s almost exactly the size of 2 bearings. Another question I’ve tried putting a 33 gold micro part (the front part with red plastic that has the pick up pins) onto the 11 and it fits and even works fine but takes away a lot of smoothness any idea?
I would not recommend 2 bearings on each side of the 11. There is a built in spacer on the handle and handle screw. Don't do it. The Zebco 11 and 33 Micro spinner heads are very close in size, but they are shaped a little bit different, particularly on how the line entrapment grommet (red plastic part) is made. The part numbers for the two spinner heads are as follows: 33 Micro DN310-01, Zebco 11 Micro BY310-01. You can still buy them on TackleService.com. Check your tackle shops. You may be able to have them order you one. Contact my on my ABOUT page and I may have one for the 11 Micro, in my parts stash I can sell ya.
Is it possible to take the gearing out of a 33, which is $15 at Amazon and 3.6:1 and put it in a 733 which is 2.6:1? I know you can super tune it with bearings. I’m trying to build an arsenal of Zebcos for bass. The 733 is a beast of a reel but if we could super tune the gear ratio, it would be the ultimate.
For the zebco 404 is the same ball bearing size as the 33? I already order some so I can upgrade my two 33 but I also have a 404 that I wanted to upgrade also.
I suppose it is possible. I have never tried. It would depend on how the reel was made. The only reason this works on the Zebcos made after 2002 is Zebco made the same reel that the could upgrade and sell as a Pro Staff, a 33 Gold or a 33 Platinum. So it has the same frame with the same size of plastic bushings as stainless steel bearings. Pretty smart on their part. I don't know how Pflueger made their bushings.
Just finished this on a 33N. runs smooth as silk now. Question, would it be wise to replace the open bushing on the shaft with one of the sealed ones? I si not do it but had an extra bushing and was just curious. Thanks.
Is it this same model? If you took it apart, you might have put it back together wrong. Take a close look at that part of the video and make sure it is together correctly. I might just do a short video on the A/R since that stumps so many fishermen when they service their reels.
I would not get that size. Look for a 1/4 x 1/2 x 3/16. It must be 3/16 wide. Otherwise the gear lash will be too loose. I don't know why they would only be 1/8 wide.
@@OutFishing13Matthew from what I gathered the R188ZZ is 1/8 and the SR188ZZ is the 3/16th. Thank you for the reply. Gonna do this to a 2020 33 and my micro 33 older model. With the other bearings of course. I appreciate your spincast videos. I am looking at goldcast reels as well and there are like zero review videos out there for some reason.
@@OutFishing13Matthew It is a Daiwa. I have a Zebco zo3 Pro, Bullet, micro 33, new 33N, 33 platinum. I am looking at a few more spincast reels. I have my eye on the 33 triggerspin, Flueger president and the Daiwa goldcast and daiwa 40XD (underspin). Are there any other new ones you might recommend? I kinda start collecting and go crazy.
Yes, the handle shaft uses a 6x10x3 mm bearing. See one of my 33 micro super tune videos. This is the most recent one. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QRi44yyf6ug.html
All the new Zebco close face reels are junk. Last about 1 season. The original Zebco 1 was the best spin cast I ever fished with. They stopped making it cause it last. Can’t make enough money unless the break every year.
Everyone is welcome to their opinions. The Zebco Omega is one of the finest reels I have used. All brass gears, stainless steel ball bearings. I have used many older Zebcos and agree they are tough. The newer high end Zebco deserves respect. The cheap reels are just that. Cheap.
@@OutFishing13Matthew I bought both omega 1 and omega 33 . The 33 I had to buy two cause the first messed up. The drags wouldn’t stay set. Line catches when casting. Just ongoing problems. I just don’t like buying a new real every year. I’m talking about for the wife and kids. I use bait cast now cause of the cheap made spin cast reel they have these days. If you like em then great. But not for me.
Before you give up and trash the thing. Try a different line. Maybe you have too much line on it. That causes many peoples problems and they just give up. Some of them just need dialing in. I started with one back in the 70's. I remember I had problems with my very first one, it was a used one and given to me. It was the line and adjustments on the line pickups. Same thing I look at when I buy a new one now. I now have a Bullet. Wow, what a retrieval rate. You actually have to slow down cranking in for the lure to act right. Not crank like crazy with some of the reels.