To be safe, have the steering and suspension systems inspected at a tire and alignment shop. Ford has a lot of trouble with parts separating leading to loss of control and crashes, so those systems should be inspected anyway at least once per year and anytime you hear a noise. The first two things that come to mind are a binding upper strut mount and a squawking lower steering shaft seal. Neither of those are a safety hazard, but you also have to consider a tight or sloppy lower ball joint or a worn tie rod end. Either of those can become a safety problem.
A squawking steering shaft seal can be solved with a spray can of white lithium grease. A binding upper strut mount needs to be replaced. You can identify that by reaching over the tire, holding your fingertips on the coil spring, then feeling for smooth or jerking movements while a helper turns the steering wheel. If the upper mount is binding, you'll feel the spring wind up and build tension, then suddenly snap free and turn.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2015 AT 6:16 PM
