Replacing Air Bag & Air Line in Shocker Air Bumper Hitch

Replacing Air Bag & Air Line For 2023 & Newer

•Start by removing the top air bag bolts located on the top side of the paddle with a 7/32” allen wrench, if applicable, also remove the paddle spacer block. Continue by removing the bottom air bag bolts using an impact wrench with a 9/16“ socket. Set all hardware aside for later installation.

•Using a ratchet wrench with a 1/2” socket, loosen the nut holding in the air valve and remove it from the main hitch frame. In some cases, the air line may need to be held using a needle nose pliers due to the nut being too tight which can cause the air line to spin while attempting the loosen (see Figure 1).

•If you are replacing just the air bag and/or the air line, remove the existing air line from the original air bag using a 10mm wrench for 12K models or 1/2” for 20K models.

•Add a generous amount of non-hardening sealant to the threads of the new/existing premium air line and finger tighten onto the new/existing air bag. Finish tightening with a 10mm wrench for 12K models or 1/2” for 20K models having the air line facing 90° “downward” (see Figure 2).

Take the new, or assembled, air bag with the premium air line and guide in through the slotted hole on the main hitch frame with the air line facing the front of the hitch (see Figure 3). Then take the existing bottom air bag bolts, add a small amount of thread lock and thread them finger tight to holt the air bag in place.

•Guide the premium air line through the main frame of the hitch and secure it using the provided hardware with a ratchet wrench with 1/2” socket. Note that you may need additional washers that is included with the premium air line kit(s).

•Take the existing top air bag bolts and thread them by hand to attach the paddle to the air bag bolt, if applicable, place the paddle spacer block on top before threading. Finishing by tightening the top air bag bolts with a 7/32” allen wrench and the bottom air bag bolts with a 9/16” socket, and replace the air valve cap.

•IMPORTANT: If your air bag is not holding air correctly, repeat the same steps above. If there is continuously leaking, it is recommended to do a “dunk test” in a bucket of water. To do this test, air up the air bag to 45-50 PSI and gently lay it in the bucket of water to find the location of leaking. You can also spray soapy water to find it as well.

Replacing Air Bag & Air Line For 2022 & Older

•Start by removing the bottom frame support with a 9/16” wrench and an impact wrench wrench with a 9/16“ socket, set aside for re-installation later.•Remove the top air bag bolts located on the top side of the paddle with a 7/32” allen wrench, if applicable, also remove the paddle spacer block. Continue by removing the bottom air bag bolts using an impact wrench with a 9/16“ socket, set all hardware aside for later installation.

•Snip the old air line and remove the air bag from the hitch frame. With the crimp style air fittings, it is recommended to get new air line(s) and/or fittings from Shocker Hitch directly. NOTE: This are not typical crimp fittings, they are special brass elbows with an “internal” steel sleeve in the fitting to support the plastic tube (see Figure 4).

•Using a ratchet wrench with a 7/16” socket, loosen the the air valve and remove it from the air bag assembly from the main hitch frame. Then using a 1/2” wrench for 12K models or 15mm for the 20K models, loosen and remove the old inner air fittings from the hitch frame. Repeat this process for the air bag fitting as well.

•Add a generous amount of non-hardening sealant to the threads of the new air fitting and finger tighten onto the new/existing air bag. Finish tightening with a 1/2” wrench for 12K models wrench or 15mm for 20K models and having the air fitting facing 90° “downward” (see Figure 5).

•Add a generous amount of non-hardening sealant to the threads of the main hitch frame and air valve, finger tighten, then tighten with a ratchet wrench with 7/16“ socket. Then add a generous amount of non-hardening sealant to the threads of the new inside air fitting, finger tighten, then finish tightening with a 1/2” wrench or 15mm for 20K models and having the air fitting facing toward the rear of the hitch (see Figure 6).

•Take new plastic line and insert it into the brass fitting of the air bag, tighten the brass fitting coupler finger tight, then tighten 2-3 turns with a 9/16” wrench. Then take the assembled air bag and guide it throught the slotted hole on the main hitch frame with the air line facing toward the front of the hitch. Insert the new plastic air line into the inside brass fitting, tighten the brass fitting coupler finger tight, then tighten 2-3 turns with a 9/16” wrench.

•Take the existing bottom air bag bolts, add a small amount of thread lock and thread them finger tight to holt the air bag in place. Then take the exisiting top air bag bolts and thread them by hand to attach the paddle to the air bag bolt, if applicable, place the paddle spacer block on top before threading. Finishing by tightening the top air bag bolts with a 7/32” allen wrench and the bottom air bag bolts with a 9/16” socket, reinstall the frame support bracket, and replace the air valve cap.

•IMPORTANT: If your air bag is not holding air correctly, repeat the same steps above. If there is continuously leaking, it is recommended to do a “dunk test” in a bucket of water. To do this test, air up the air bag to 45-50 PSI and gently lay it in the bucket of water to find the location of leaking. You can also spray soapy water to find it as well.