My power steering return line somehow dropped down low enough to drag on the road and got a hole in it causing all of the fluid to leak out. This happened after the first 100 miles of a 250 mile trip. I finished the rest of the trip knowing that somthing was wrong but not knowing what.

After finding the damaged line, I spliced it using some copper tubing (same ID as hose so as not to restrict flow) and refilled the system. While trying to blead air out of the system (turning wheel), the splice blew apart spraying ps fluid every where. After fixing the splice the line blew off again where the return line connects to the pump. Talked to a mechanic friend who said that the rack was probably damaged from driving without fluid. The explaination was that the internal seals were damaged which was allowing high pressure fluid into the return side. I just installed a new rack and the problem is the same.

Is there somthing in the pump that is supposed to regulate pressure that could be damaged? Any other thoughts?

Your help is greatly appreciated.