An apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels (12, 14) of a vehicle in
response to turning of a steering wheel (18) of the vehicle. The
apparatus includes a hydraulic power steering gear, which does not
include a rotary valve responsive to a steering input generated by
turning of a steering wheel (18). The hydraulic steering gear includes a
first chamber (96) for holding hydraulic fluid and a second chamber (98)
for holding hydraulic fluid. An increase in fluid pressure in one chamber
acts to turn the steerable wheels (12, 14) of the vehicle in one
direction and an increase in fluid pressure in the other chamber acts to
turn the steerable wheels (12, 14) in a direction opposite the one
direction. The apparatus (10) includes a variable flow mechanism (50) for
supplying a flow of hydraulic fluid to the first and second chambers (96,
98), which flow varies in dependence upon at least one sensed vehicle
condition.