Questions about changing rear cv boot

Hey guys, probably dumb questions here but I am new to working on something other than a sport bike. I tore up an outer rear boot on my 2014 renegade 1000 xxc and have the oem replacement boot kit for it. Do I need to take both the rear wheels and shocks off just to pull the right axle? It looks pretty easy to pull the axle according to videos but all the ones I have watched show the guys taking off both shocks and wheels. I didn’t know if it was because they were taking both axles out or if they did it so that there is less strain on the diff. Also the boot kit came with a tiny circlip that I don’t recognize. Any thoughts on what that’s for? I know I sound like a dud lol but this really is my first time working on anything of this type. Thanks a lot and any tips are appreciated.