Axles
Possible, but probably you'll be ok. The right side (passenger side) won't ever have this problem because the CV axle assembly mates to the carrier (or jackshaft, or intermediate shaft, or drive shaft, or whatever you want to call it). This carrier is retained by a carrier bearing bolted right to the back of the block, so unless something physically crashed into the wheel, it's doubtful the differential side would even notice if the CV joint broke.
The left side (driver's) is a bit different as the CV assembly mates right into the diff. But still, the hard parts of the axle are retained at the wheel side by the giant axle nut, and the inner part of the axle is a slip joint anyway. So again, as far as the trans is concerned, a busted CV joint just looks like wheelspin.
The axles are fairly easy to change when they do break. I'm on my third (across two vans with a combined 700,000 miles). But they ain't cheap. Dealer retail is $400 each, when they aren't on backorder. The internet parts houses have them for around $275. Rocket has rebuilds (currently backordered) for around $250, and junkyards generally get 100-125 for used ones.
One tip: when ordering make SURE the dude asks diesel or gas, because they look similar but are not interchangeable, at least on the right side. Ask me how I know this!
