Detent mechanism for a hydraulic power steering gear

A hydraulic power steering gear for a vehicle, said power steering gear being operable between a neutral condition and an actuated condition, said power steering gear comprising:

• a first valve member having a radially extending passage;
• a second valve member partially encircling said first valve member, said first and second valve members being rotatable relative to one another to selectively port hydraulic fluid;
• a ring member fixedly attached to said second valve member, said ring member having a cylindrical inner surface with at least one arcuate notch;
• at least one detent member acting between said first and second valve members, said at least one detent member having a curved outer surface and being disposed in said at least one arcuate notch in said inner surface of said ring member in the neutral condition to provide a physically perceptible indication to a driver of the vehicle of operation between the neutral condition and the actuated condition;
• and
• spring means for biasing said at least one detent member radially outward, said spring means being disposed in said passage in said first valve member.