[Superman]

Some CV joints have two clamps. One on the small end and one on the big end. the one on the small end is fairly unimportant. There are no clamps on my small ends currently. Due to laziness and the lack of need for them. If a joint takes a clamp on the big end, then it is very very important that the clamp be proper, and tight.

But on your car, the big end has a metal flange and it bolts to the hub or drive flange. When you say the old boot no longer exists, I assume the metal flange at least was still there. I guess I'm curious about your finding. With the shaft in a vise, replacing the boot should be as easy as removing the joint, putting the boot on filling it with grease and slipping the CV joint back on. Then of course, it is bolted back onto the car, with the bolts going through the boot's metal flange. No real need for a clamp or zip tie at the small end. Properly installed, boots should be good for years. If it tears, my best guess is that it was physically ripped off by some road hazard flotsam.