Should only be the seal. Spray some brake cleaner on it, wipe it down and check for cracks.
These seals go very often as the cv is always rotating with the wheel even with it out of 4wd.
The only way to avoid this would be to install manual locking hubs to disconnect it completely.
I have 300,000 kms on my '01 and have only changed it out once, so it shouldn't happen often.
The worst case is the end of the housing is worn and a new seal won't help that unfortunetly.