Identification Guideline
Sheppard™ Steering Gears
RHS0007

Initial Release Date: 7/1/22

Revision Date: 3/15/24

Identifying Sheppard™ Steering Gears Covered in Field Actions
A potentially defective steering gear can be identified by a serial number and a part number
engraved into the steering gear housing. Perform the following procedure to identify the
steering gear serial number and part number.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Park the vehicle on a flat surface.
Set the transmission to park or neutral and set the parking brake.
Ensure the vehicle ignition is turned off.
Install the wheel chocks.
Unlatch and open the hood to access the steering gear.
Locate the steering gear serial number and part number. It may be necessary to rotate
the pitman arm to view the serial number on the steering gear.

SERIAL NUMBER

PART NUMBER

OTE: If the serial number or part number cannot be easily read due to paint application, Figure 1 – Style 1
N
gently scrape the number(s) with a flathead screwdriver, wire brush, or emery cloth, or
SERIAL NUMBER
apply acetone. Too much intervention may cause the numbers and letters to be illegible.
There are three common styles of engraving locations to be aware of when locating the
serial number and part number. NOTE: If you need assistance with locating or deciphering
the steering gear serial number and/or part number, email [email protected].
Sending a photograph of the steering gear serial number and part number may be helpful.
Style 1: This style will have the serial number and part number engraved on one line
with a space between the part number and serial number. The entire engraving should
be centered on the machined surface. See Figure 1.

PART NUMBER

Style 2: This style will also have the serial number and part number engraved on one Figure 2 – Style 2
line with a space between the part number and serial number. The only difference is the
SERIAL NUMBER
amount of machined surface given for the engraving. The numbers should be engraved
on more of a curve due to the lack of space provided. See Figure 2.
CUSTOMER NUMBER

tyle 3: The serial number and part number should be displayed on one line with a space
S
between the part number and serial number. This style will also have a customer number
printed on the housing opposite of the part number and serial number. See Figure 3.
7. Record the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), steering gear serial number, and
steering gear part number.
8. Use the URL provided by your vehicle manufacturer to access the Sheppard Steering
Gear Classification Tool. This URL is expected to be available after August 1, 2022.
•
•
•

PART NUMBER

Figure 3 – Style 3

ehicles with a “NOT suspect” steering gear serial number can be returned
V
to service with no further remedy action required. Sheppard will cover the labor
involved in the serial number inspection.
Vehicles with a steering gear serial number identified as “Suspect” will require removal and replacement.
Sheppard will provide a 1:1 replacement gear (that does not contain the defect) manufactured outside the stated
dates. Follow the OEM instructions on recording the VIN, serial number, and part number in order to process a claim.
A “Not Found” serial number indicates circumstances such as a possible character input error by the individual
conducting the inspection or some other unique situation. Receipt of a Not Found classification will require you to
contact the Sheppard Steering Gear Recall Product Action Center noted at the close of this guideline.

9. Keep a record of all inspected steering gears and their status outcomes. These will be used for the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reporting and the claims process.
(continued)

RHS0007

Initial Release Date: 7/1/22

Revision Date: 3/15/24

Interpreting the Serial Number and Part Number:
A serial number and part number are engraved into the steering gear housing. See Figure 4 for further information on
interpreting the serial number and part number.
SERIAL NUMBER EXAMPLE:

21 represents the
year the steering
gear was built.

21E07957-C

-C indicates the steering gear has a
snap ring style sector cover with a
retainer clip.

07957 is the sequential
serial number for gears
built that month.

E indicates the month the
steering gear was built
(A = January, B = February,
C = March, D = April,
E = May, etc.).

PART NUMBER EXAMPLE:

SD stands for “severe duty.”
The first characters of the
part number represent the
steering gear family.

SD110PAU3

3 indicates the steering gear has automatic
relief plungers. Other designators are “1” for
manual relief plungers and “2” for special
applications. An additional number after “3”
indicates there is a pitman arm installed on
the steering gear.

PART NUMBER

SERIAL NUMBER

PAU: The first letter in this sequence will
either be “P” to indicate “Power” or “S” to
indicate “Slave.” “AU” represents the specific
model of the M110 steering gear.

110 indicates the diameter
of the piston in mm.

Figure 4 – Serial Number and Part Number Interpretation

See Figure 5 for representations of each number (year) and letter (month) for steering gear serial numbers.
ENGRAVED NUMBERS

ENGRAVED LETTERS

0

5

A - JANUARY

F - JUNE

K - NOVEMBER

1

6

G - JULY

L - DECEMBER

2

7

B - FEBRUARY

3

8

C - MARCH

H - AUGUST

P - POWER GEAR

4

9

D - APRIL

I - SEPTEMBER

R - REMAN. GEAR

E - MAY

J - OCTOBER

S - SLAVE GEAR

Figure 5 – Engraved Numbers and Letters

What You Need To Do:
An OEM recall notice will be issued for all vehicles with affected steering gears. If a steering gear serial number or part number
are not deemed as a suspect number, no further action is required and the vehicle can remain in service. If a steering gear
serial number or part number is deemed as a suspect number, the steering gear will need to be replaced. Further action will
be advised.

(continued)

RHS0007

Initial Release Date: 7/1/22

Revision Date: 3/15/24

REMANUFACTURED PART NUMBER
EXAMPLE:

SLAVE GEAR PART NUMBER EXAMPLE:

SD110SAU3

XD120PE1R
REMANUFACTURED SERIAL
NUMBER EXAMPLE:

R22F1223

POWER GEAR
INPUT
SHAFT

SLAVE GEAR
STEERING
COLUMN
ATTACHES
HERE

NO STEERING
COLUMN ATTACHED

Figure 6 – R
emanufactured Steering Gear Part and
Serial Number Example

Replacing a Defective Steering Gear:
Refer to the vehicle OEM service manual for steering gear
replacement instructions. If necessary, refer to Sheppard
Steering Gear Installation, RHS0006, on rhsheppard.com
for instructions on replacing the steering gear.

Figure 7 – S
lave Gear Part Number and Image Example

Submitting a Recall Claim:
This process must be followed to ensure that the claim is reimbursed in full.
• All recall claims are to be filed with the vehicle OEM.
• Claims will be filed using the standard part costs and labor rates provided by the OEM.
• Claims for “Inspection Only” will be paid at the Standard Repair Time (SRT) of 0.3 hours at the shop labor rate.
• The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and steering gear serial number are required for all claims (both inspection-only
and replacement claims).
• All steering gears that fall within the suspect serial number population and are replaced must be returned directly to
R.H. Sheppard.
» No pre-authorization or RGA/RMA is required.
» Contact PNG Logistics at 877-764-9441 for shipping instructions.
» Ship the replaced/defective steering gear to:
Sheppard Recall
Attn: (Use the steering gear Serial Number)
300 N. Forney Ave.
Hanover, PA 17331
• All claim reimbursements will be paid by Sheppard to the OEM.
• Steering gears returned for the recall with serial numbers that do not fall within the suspect serial number population
may result in a denied recall claim.
Technical Support:
For support, first refer to the OEM instructions. You may contact Sheppard via email at [email protected], or
telephone the Sheppard Steering Gear Recall Action Line, toll-free, at 1-877-409-9869. Representatives are available to
assist you Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET. If representatives are unavailable, you will be prompted to leave a
voice message.

RHS0007 © 2024 R.H. Sheppard • 3/24 • All Rights Reserved