Liftgate Strut Replacement

I have a 1998 Ford Windstar, the lift gate struts need to be replaced and the ball joint where the strut attaches to the hatch rusted and broke. The bracket where the lift gate ball joint is spot welded to the hatch. How do you replace the bracket? I cannot find just the ball joint alone, the dealer said they have the bracket and the ball joint as one assembly but they show it is bolted on not welded. Have anyone come across this..

Thanks

I know it's been quite a while since your post, but did you ever resolve the problem?

I had the exact same thing happen tomy Windstar this morining.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thx