Congrats on the purchase. If it drove you home all that way and didn't overheat, die, buck, or leak fluids all over... I say you got an OK deal for 600$!. The Haynes manual is pretty much the best from what I have heard. I have used them and they are pretty easy to follow. Sounds like your ball joits are toasted.
www.clarks-garage.com is going to probably be your biggest help. Look there for tutorials and step-by-steps on pretety much everything.
Have fun!