The plastic tube on the rack is an air vent between the boots on both sides. As the rack moves and one boot compresses the air moves to the other side as that boot expands. There should not be any appreciable amount of oil in the tube or the boots. If there is the rack is leaking. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Robert Clemmer
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2019 6:48 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Power Steering help

I'm a snow bird down here in SW FL and my power steering has sprung a leak.
It appears that the plastic line that goes from side to side on the P/S rack broke an inch from one of the barbed nipples that it would normally push onto.

My question is, should oil becoming out of this?  Isn't this a vent to equalize pressure from side to side?  Is replacing this line a waste of time?  This is a rebuilt rack that is several years old.

Any words of wisdom much appreciated.

Bob C