If your forklift's steering wheel is suddenly harder to turn, or turning has become noticeably heavier over time, the power steering system is almost always the cause — and on a Caterpillar forklift, the power steering cylinder is a common failure point.
What causes hard steering
- Worn or leaking power steering cylinder — loses hydraulic assist, making the wheel heavy or inconsistent to turn
- Low hydraulic fluid — check the reservoir first, since this is the easiest thing to rule out
- Failing steering pump — less common than cylinder wear, but causes similar symptoms
- Air in the hydraulic lines — can cause jerky or inconsistent steering resistance
How to tell it's the cylinder
If fluid levels are normal and the steering is still heavy — especially if you notice fluid seeping near the cylinder itself, or the wheel feels inconsistent in one direction more than the other — the power steering cylinder has likely worn out its internal seals and lost its ability to hold pressure.
What a cylinder replacement fixes
A new power steering cylinder restores full hydraulic assist, bringing steering effort back to normal and eliminating the heavy, inconsistent feel that makes maneuvering in tight aisles exhausting.
Get the part
We stock the 91854-65300 power steering cylinder for Caterpillar forklifts. View the Caterpillar power steering cylinder →