floppy Top shock absorber mount

[igaroot]

Passenger side shock absorber does not compress during normal driving. Top of shock absorber pushes up and then back down through the body / wheel well. Washer jingles and body amplifies the sound. My partner thinks the car is gonna explode. Yes, she is a woman.
Is it as simple as a bad shock? Is there a mount on the underside of the body / wheel well that popped off?

 

[oigle]

You can easily check. Remove the wheel and have a look at both ends of the shocker. Sounds like it has broken away at one end, possibly as a result of the shocker going "solid". Either way, you will probably need a new shock.

 

[Corned]

It's a 210 after all, so rust could well be the villain here, if a mounting has broken free due to corrosion?

 

[brandwooddixon]

+1
Check that the top mount bodywork hasn't rusted through or been weakened by rust.

 

[Pathfinder]

Are there top mount bearings on this model ?