OK.... well - I took it apart and here is what I plainly see, literally
There are no inner seals!
If you try to pour or pump oil into the 2 bolt cover, over or through the tension assembly - the oil pours into the main housing which freely drains into the boots. But pouring freely is a term I use loosely... getting oil via the 2 bolt cover is like pulling teeth. very little holes. isn't right.
If you take the 3 bolt cover off, the one the pinion shaft sticks out of, you see the little bearings that ride the pinion shaft.... i.e., these are open bearings, not a sealed bushing thing, so if you pour oil in the top via the 3 bolt cover, the oil flows freely into the main rack chamber and eventually (like seconds later) into the boots because the oil can just run through the bearings. Also, if you put oil into the little chamber above the spindle bearings, it would be like a whole whopping spoonful.
SO..... there are no inner seals or inner oil chamber period. I have 2 of these racks to compare. I thought maybe the main rack chamber was supposed to have seals on each end... near the inner tie rod connection, but not so, both ends the boots are open to the chamber and the chamber is open to pinion gear and the pinion gear is open to the little area above the bearings that ride the pinion gear shaft under the 3 bolt cover.
It is my opinion that since it is universally thought that oil in the boots is bad, and it seems like boots holding oil in like this is a very weak poor design, that these rack and pinions were greased.... Talking manual rack and pinion. But... the million dollar question, if they are greased, why are there so many people that jump on the 'oil in the boots, your rack is shot' band wagon? Must be a carry over from power steering problems perhaps?
it is clear... take one apart, there is no inner oil chamber and it doesn't make sense that the entire rack assembly including the boots would be a big oil pan.
I am going to grease up the bearings and pinion the best I can - and rack on..... someone have info to the contrary please bring it on, but it sure seems simple and obvious.