Replacing Air Bag & Air Line in Shocker Air Bumper Hitch

Follow the steps below or download the printable instructions for replacing the air bag and air line in your Shocker Air Bumper Hitch. The procedure differs depending on the year of your hitch.

For 2023 and newer hitches

• 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 with needle nose pliers, because a tight nut can cause the air line to spin while you loosen it (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 air line and finger tighten onto the air bag. Finish tightening with a 10mm wrench for 12K models or 1/2" for 20K models, with the air line facing 90° downward (see Figure 2).
• Take the assembled air bag with the premium air line and guide it through the slotted hole on the main hitch frame, with the air line facing the front of the hitch (see Figure 3). Add a small amount of thread lock to the bottom air bag bolts and thread them finger tight to hold 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 and 1/2" socket. You may need the additional washers included with the premium air line kit.
• Thread the top air bag bolts by hand to attach the paddle to the air bag bolt — if applicable, place the paddle spacer block on top before threading. Finish by tightening the top air bag bolts with a 7/32" allen wrench and the bottom air bag bolts with a 9/16" socket, then replace the air valve cap.

For 2022 and older hitches

• Start by removing the bottom frame support with a 9/16" wrench and an impact wrench with a 9/16" socket, and set aside for reinstallation. Remove the top air bag bolts on the top side of the paddle with a 7/32" allen wrench, and the paddle spacer block if applicable. Remove the bottom air bag bolts using an impact wrench with a 9/16" socket.
• 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 lines and/or fittings from Shocker Hitch directly. These 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 air valve and remove the air bag assembly from the main hitch frame. Then, using a 1/2" wrench for 12K models or 15mm for 20K models, loosen and remove the old inner air fittings from the hitch frame. Repeat for the air bag fitting.
• Add a generous amount of non-hardening sealant to the threads of the new air fitting and finger tighten onto the air bag. Finish tightening with a 1/2" wrench for 12K models or 15mm for 20K models, with 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 and 7/16" socket. Then seal and fit the new inside air fitting, finger tighten, and finish with a 1/2" wrench (or 15mm for 20K models) with the air fitting facing toward the rear of the hitch (see Figure 6).
• Insert the new plastic line into the brass fitting of the air bag, tighten the coupler finger tight, then 2–3 turns with a 9/16" wrench. Guide the assembled air bag through the slotted hole on the main hitch frame with the air line facing the front of the hitch. Insert the air line into the inside brass fitting and tighten the same way.
• Add thread lock to the bottom air bag bolts and thread finger tight to hold the air bag in place. Thread the top air bag bolts by hand to attach the paddle, placing the paddle spacer block on top if applicable. Finish by tightening the top bolts with a 7/32" allen wrench and the bottom bolts with a 9/16" socket, reinstall the frame support bracket, and replace the air valve cap.

Reference figures

Replacing the air bag and air line — video

Replacing the Air Bag & Air Line