Interesting - makes we wonder if front axle replacement recommendation is a widespread scam (makes me sound like a conspiracy theorist...
). Are you experiencing any symptoms, such as clunks, vibrations, shimmy, or anything else that might make you suspect problems with your front axles? I greased the joints up very thoroughly when I replaced the boots, and didn't feel or see any signs of wear anywhere in the axles, but I'm not sure how I would go about testing for that.
Anyone else have any ideas as to how to check them? I'm hesitant to take the car to somebody else, because if they ended up agreeing with the dealer, I'd replace them myself for a tiny fraction of what a mechanic would charge.