Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic steering unit for automotive vehicles. A main feature of the unit is that pressure relief means are provided for relieving excessively high pressures developed in the unit which are caused by the steered wheels encountering road obstacles. The unit includes a pump, a drain tank and a working motor which is connectable to the wheels to be steered. The working motor has complementary expansible chamber means and a control valve is connected to the motor with a pair of supply and exhaust conduits which are selectively connectable to the pump and the tank by the control valve. A shunt line is provided between the pump and the tank and a pressure relief valve is in the shunt line. A manually operated valve controlled by a steering wheel is connected to the pump and the drain tank. A pair of control lines are connected to the manually operated valve which are selectively connectable to the pump and the drain tank by the manually operated valve.