a simplified valve spool detent device including a sleeve attached to the valve body surrounding an extending portion of the valve spool , the sleeve including a plurality of radially spaced holes therein in a common plane with a plurality of balls positioned in the holes , a c - shaped spring positioned outside the sleeve in spring contact with the sleeve , the extending portion of the spool including a cylindrical surface passing through the plane of the balls including a circumferential lug means in the form of a hardened wire ring seated in a circumferential groove in said cylindrical surface .