To change boots you need to take the inner joint apart and slide the outer boot on all the way over the shaft. The outer joint is not designed to be taken apart in the field. It takes some special process with a lot of force that the factory does.

 

He's right. It is a lot easier to replace the axle as a whole. I'd go with a re-man axle myself. Actually today i think i've just about broke my outer CV joint. So i'll be replacing mine soon too :O are you doing your own work?

 

To the OP, you can do tests with the front end up on jacks to determine what it is that is causing the noises you have described. Look in manuals or online to find the tests. The tests usually involve moving the tire and suspension in different directions and listening for noises in certain areas.

Also, if it's a CV axle (which it sounds like it is to me from your description), then you should be able to tell whether it is tore up by looking at it and the condition of the boot that is located on the axle.

If it is the CV axle, and it is the long one on the driver's side, make sure to beat that sucker in there with a rubber mallet until you can feel it click in. The passenger's side has always been easy for me to replace, but that driver's side for some reason has proven difficult. If you dont get the sucker ALL THE WAY IN beyond the metal ring, it slips out and a tow will be in your future. Trust me, been there, done that!