It took me a few hours to do my CV boot (method described in the pics above). However, I think I can do it faster the second time around.

The method I did worked quite well. However, I'm thinking whether I really had to remove the axle Nut and CV joint. I think you still can clean it and stuff with it on, but you won't be able to do as good of a job.

If you can replace the axle, its not much more work to take apart the joint and repack it. I don't know about those $166 axles -- I like to use the BMW parts on a beefy car like this (rather than some noname -- hopefully its not from China). The CV joint is pretty tough. Very high quality and strong metal, so its usually pretty good if you just clean it out and repack it.

I didn't do the inner boot. I figure by the time it fails I need to do the outer again anyway. Having said that, its not difficult to do once the outer is out.

I opted to do the procedure myself so that I can do it again if need be. When my indie changed it last time (ex BMW dealer service guy), it broke shortly after. I think the boot was sort of twisted when it was put on... either that or poor quality boot (see the pics). Anyway, I don't want a repeat show so I did it myself.