Actually, where I'm at in AZ we don't have any sand, just cinders which are worse.
I'm pretty sure that the boot just ripped as I check them quite regularly. I will remember that Pep Boys thing though, just because they've got the lifetime warranty.
There's no symptoms during driving yet as well which leads me to believe that I caught it just in time. Last time my boots went I could easily tell whenever I'd turn sharply by the clicking noise my car would make.
Anyway, I'll go try to put it on now and we'll see how it turns out.