A little play in rack and pinion

A bad seal in the rack and pinion would have caused low pressure from fluid by-passing the seal. This also would have caused noticeably increased effort to steer the vehicle. Excessively high pressure would indicate an issue between the power steering pump and the rack, and since the hoses have been replaced I would focus on the pump. PS, find a real mechanic, not a parts changer.

The power steering pump is bad! God-Bless! or the rack and pinion leaks, check the pump first. the pump whines if low on fluid or bad.

Yes, but you're probably wondering about just the rack and pinion SEAL can be replaced. I assume this because boots' function is to protect the inner tie rods from abrasive dust and water. If you're leaking fluid from the boot, its the seal that's bad. The answer to that is most likely. I can't say for sure but every other rack and pinion system I came across had serviceable seals. There will be a bit of labor involved but it should still be cheaper than replacing the whole rack.

http://www.vehix.com/car-reviews/2002/chrysler/town--country/vehicle-specifications

According to this link, the height is 68.9 inches. There are 4 models listed and all 4 say it is 68.9 inches.

the seals on your steering rack are leaking and the fluid is coming out of your bellows boots. You neet to change your rack and pinion

Have a mechanic check the sieve/filter at the base of the power steering reservoir. It is probably clogged up and will need to be replaced. About $160.

Did you connect the Pressure side and Return side P/S couplings on the Rack, Back to Front?
Did you refill the system and Purge the Air out of the Power Steer Lines with the Engine Running, and Sweeping the Steering from Right to Left, 2 or 3 times, at the same time?
Regards,DT

check to see if the rack and pinion is the cause

Here's a link to a basically what your into, except you won't remove rack from vehicle, but it gives you a good idea of what your doing. Where he talks about a jamb nut, also watch for a spring pin, that may be through it, that would have to be removed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk-toz8jsdI

222,000 miles? that's a good vechile so far! anyways, do some price checking. new rack and pinions come with the inner tie rods. so if it's like 50 more for the whole assembly, i would but if not, it's up to you. i've changed some rack and pinions on vechiles that were under 150000 due to major leaking. and if you put just new rods in, if it dose start leaking later, you'll get new inner rods again with new system you'll just be paying labor and alingment charges again. so again, my OPINION is if I'm going to keep it for a while and if it's COST effective, just to do the whole unit.