R.H. Sheppard Co., the 88-year-old commercial steering systems maker, has launched its first diagnostic software for active steering systems through a partnership with Cojali.
The standalone Sheppard Diagnostic Tool (SDT) works with any RP1210-compliant VCI, including Cojali’s Jaltest devices, to provide:
- Comprehensive Coverage: Full access to every proprietary protocol for Sheppard Active Steering products
- Guided Calibration Workflows: Step-by-step, interactive on-screen guidance for fault code reading, system calibration, health checks and firmware updates, all aligned to factory specifications.
- OEM-Level Accuracy: Direct integration of RH Sheppard’s proprietary data ensures every test and adjustment meets original equipment standards.
- Dedicated Support Channel: Embedded help links connect technicians to RH Sheppard-certified support staff for real-time assistance and technical advice.
For shops already using Jaltest Diagnostics, Sheppard offers an optional add-on module that integrates its OEM protocols directly into the Jaltest platform. This gives users access without switching software apps while also “reducing the team’s learning curve,” Sheppard said.
In order to provide continuous support for RH Sheppard’s active steering systems, the Sheppard Diagnostic Tool will provide:
The tool was developed to reduce downtime and improve accuracy regarding the steering system, which “has been one of the most commonly misdiagnosed areas of a vehicle.”
The company said in a release that, “This move marks a new chapter for RH Sheppard, giving technicians a direct way to work with the systems they’ve long relied on, and offering a tool that speaks the language of the Sheppard product from the inside out.
Previously, Sheppeard notes, their experts have guided technicians “to follow a triage system of gathering information about symptoms with the driver, performing a visual inspection, and conducting mechanical tests before placing blame on the system’s health.”
Cojali and Sheppard plan to explore additional ways to partner in the future. Sheppard was sold at the end of 2024 from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems to private equity firm Balmoral Funds.
