Lots of U tube's on this, just thought I would add my fun.
Oh, get the Ford top ball joint kit from your local parts store that rents tools. If you don't have a way to cut the stem of the ball joint off.
A good friends son had his write off 2004 Eddie Bauer Explorer, hail storm damage, with the click click of the front driver side axle symptoms and taking a quick look, no insulation showing on either top ball joint. Sway bar link ends (bushings) on top completely gone.
Could not let him drive on Interstates so gave him dad's car for a couple of days while we had a go at getting him a little safer car.
Got all four ball joints, axle and Energy Suspension sway bar link bushings. Let me say right now, they are good but this universal set does not fit the rod, bushings can be made to go on but the washers needed to be drilled out on the one rod we got out, the other was cut in three pieces. That said, don't bother with them, get the end links and save yourself a lot of effort. OH, one thing on taking the links top nut off. the wrench kept slipping and the next size down was too small, a standard was not close. Ended up being a 5/16 Whitworth fit perfect.
Go figure.
My kit didn't have the long extension to remove the top ball joint, so cut it off flush with the bottom, pushed right out on both sides. I'm betting I could have yanked what was left of the ball out on the driver side.
Now of course one is always a butt hole, so got out the air and split yoke to get the driver side lower one out, so we could get the axle out and replace. It was not coming, jammed the yoke in to the point I couldn't get it out and heated with some MAP gas for about a minute and bang. Jack under the "A" arm, big hammer and it fell right out.
Had to remove the brake calibers to gain some access to the sway bar links and get the axle out. Just a lot easier on a 80 year old than holding up the axle carrier and hub with the brake attached. Good thing, he need brake pads too.
Over all things went a you see them on U tube, just didn't want to come apart with a couple of hard bangs. Well all of them did but the lower drivers side. Even the tie rod ends came off without a big effort.
Some stuff was good, so others had been in there, just didn't do much, shocks were replaced and tie rod ends. He did remember a big bill a few years back, so lets say it fell apart since then. Clearly not.
Wayne

 

Move over, you are not alone !!!
Glad you managed to get it all straightened out.

Like they said, "No good deed shall go unpunished" !

 

Thanks Hanky, we do what we can. I have a lot to learn on the Fords and do pay attention to a lot of the threads. Thanks to all and hope I can contribute a little something once in a while.
Wayne

 

Thank you.
And, as our Super Moderator would say,
Welcome to the site !