Which component holds directional control valve alignment?

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Directional control valve alignment is maintained by the torsion bar because it is designed to twist with steering input and keep the valve spool oriented to line up with the correct hydraulic passages. As you turn the steering wheel, the torsion bar resists twist and provides the aligning force that positions the valve energized for the desired circuit, with the bar returning toward neutral when steering input is released. A compression spring mainly biases the valve toward a centered position but doesn’t manage the valve’s rotational alignment during operation. The hydraulic ram is the actuator that moves fluid to the steering cylinder, not the component that holds valve alignment, and the gear rack is part of the steering linkage that converts rotary motion to linear motion, not the valve’s alignment mechanism.