Chrysler Repair: pacifica brake noise, outer tie rods, cv joints

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
Knocking noise coming from the brakes(I think coming from left front)of 2004 AWD Pacifica when you brake little hard. Last week when I brought the car to Firestone they made a check on the car and told me outer tie rods have to be replaced and few days later I checked the tie rods by myself  everything was O.K. .I have  not loosen any parts on that check  I tightened the tie rods besdides. After that for two or three times when I brake there was that knocking sound. Could you please tell me the reason ?
thanks..

ANSWER: Hi Arda,
About the only part of that area of the drivetrain that I can imagine as a source of knocking is the outer cv-joint. If the boot on the joint is torn and the grease spun out then as the joint dries up it tends to click, particularly when stressed such as when accelerating/decelerating or the wheels are turned to the extreme limit of steering direction. So I would verify the condition of that boot which is located on the outer end of the drive half-shaft and in-board of the brakes/wheel bearings. Other than that, I have not expeerienced knocking sounds from brake problems.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Roland,

Thank you for your response. Is it possible to grease the cv-joints or do I have to replace the part if there is no tear?

Answer
Hi Arda,
If the boot isn't torn then that should not be considered the cause of the knocking unless proven otherwise by hearing it when you are simply turning sharply which is the usual symptom.
If the boot is undamaged the grease should still be there. If it is torn, and therefor the cause of the problem, in any case the half-shaft has to be removed. Then there are two choices: put on a new boot using a kit which also contains a packet of grease OR buy a rebuilt half axle. The former is about $15 for the kit. The latter varies by vehicle but ranges from $100 up. A shop will almost certainly opt for the latter due to a little less labor time and more profit on the part. As a DIY'er I do the former. If you get to a dry joint soon enough it won't be damaged yet, but if left for too long then your only choice is the half-axle replacement.
But recall that this is a possibility. Your boot/joint may be just fine and it is something else.
Roland
PS Thanks for the rating and nomination.