Originally Posted by trader4

Well there are two kinds of urgency. One would be that when a boot
first cracks, if you catch it in time, you can save the axle and just
replace the boot. If it's torn and dried out, sounds like you may be
past that point. Once water and dirt gets in, the joint itself will be
compromised.

The second urgency is how long you can keep driving it like it is
until it fails and you're stuck on the side of the road. That could
take months, a year or more.

If you have an original OEM axle, I think it's better to replace the
boot, when you can. And if you need to replace the axle, IMO there
are two choices. Buy a GKN one for $280 or get a rebuild from
CVJ axles in Denver. They only accept OEM axles as cores, so what
you get is a properly rebuilt OEM axle. For $75 to $150 at the
typical parts stores you're either getting Chinese junk new or a
rebuild of who knows what, ie it could be a rebuild of a Chinese
junk axle.

Something you can do easily? That depends on your skills. Besides
normal shop tools, jack, supports, etc you need a hub puller, I got
a loaner one from Advance Auto parts, the plate type, not the 3 hook
type. It also depends on if it all goes smoothly or you run into a
snag. Better have a 3/4" breaker bar and pipe to use on the shaft nut.