98 F150 4x4 Reg Cab Shortbox, tore drivers side outer bood (trying to remove torsion bar). Is the replacement kit easy and reliable to install? I've heard it's better to replace whole cv joint? Any insight appreciated.

 

Do the whole CV axle. It's sooooo much easier and they are not that expensive. I will never do just a boot ever again.

 

The axle is a pretty straight forward job.

 

Thanks for axle replace recommendation. Someone told me there was a two piece boot replacement available, but I couldn't find and didn't really want it anyway.

Ordered new 1/2 axle for ~$90 Cdn from US, cheaper than the 125 the wreckers wanted.