Abstract: Hydraulic steering mechanism is extended through an aperture in an end wall in a housing that has a pressure chamber, the steering mechanism including a slide rotatable with the steering column. An axial bearing is mounted by the end wall for rotatably mounting the steering mechanism while the aperture axially opposite end portion mounts a sealing ring between the housing and the steering mechanism. Axially between the sealing ring and the bearing there is a pressure reduction ring providing an annular gap with the slide for throttling the flow of fluid from the pressure chamber to a fluid collecting chamber that at least in part is defined by the pressure reduction and sealing rings. Fluid can flow from the collecting chamber through a housing outlet. The pressure reduction ring has an enlarged diameter flange for sealingly engaging the end wall and being clamped between the wall and the axial bearing.