So I've gotten myself into a bit of a mess. Anybody know an easy way to replace the boot at the end of the axles. Mine tore up pretty bad. Does the whole axle need to come off? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Yes, the half-shaft needs to come out.

There are numerous good write-ups (some with pictures) on this subject, plus the FSM (also available through a link found on this site) is pretty good.

Other than that: the FSM does not warn you that you need to have the front suspension compressed (as though it were sitting on the tires) in order to thread out the half-shaft once disconnected. If you leave the front wheels dangling, you'll never get it out.

Price a rebuilt half-shaft against the price of the boots. At Autozone, the boots are about $16 each (you need to replace both if the outside one is the problem), and a rebuilt is about $60. For $30 you save yourself a very messy job.

 

You need to remove the axle to replace the CV boot. Remove the tire, retaining bolt under the axle dust cap, remove the brakes. The I remove the top four nuts that secure the spindle, that way it will drop out far enough to remove the axle shaft. BTW, you need to remove the inner nuts on the shaft as well. You can then get the shaft out. I can usually replace the shaft/cv boot in 1.5 hrs. or less. I keep spare shafts ready to go.. The inner CV boot and the outer boot are different, If on is bad, you might want to replace both of them since you have the shaft out. These instructions are for 90-95 4runners, as I have yet to replace one on a 1st gen, but I would assume that the same method would apply.

 

I have never had to compress the suspension to get the half shafts out on any 90-95 4runners. So, I would assume that you are talking about a 1st gen?? Would be more helpful if he would have stated what year he was working on...