Rear Strut pushing up beyond normal mount position. What need to be replaced?

[qinsanep]

Hey everyone,

I have been hearing loud popping noises and rattles when hitting almost any size bump in my '01 protege.

I had a feeling it had to do with the left rear strut or its top mount.
When i checked, I noticed the strut has sort of exploded out and extended a couple of inches, and it now resting on the seat belt mount, just above.
I am wondering if the seat belt mount was not there, would it have exploded up wards even more.

I feel like my strut could still be ok and that all I need to do is change the mount for it, but I am not sure.

Either way, Is it safe to take out the whole shock assembly without having the strut pop up and be unsafe for me to work on ?
If in fact the mount is broken and nothing is holding the shock from pushing upwards, then I feel like it would be dangerous.

Here are some pics of the broken side and the other side which is still fine. Please tell me if you know what I should do.

Thanks guys
BAD Strut:

Good strut, i just removed the rubber cap to see that the top is in tact

 

[tweety2300]

Go ahead and replace the mount and strut. You should be ok removing it, once you jack it up it will relieve most of the preasure

They both look like they're done

 

[qinsanep]

Ok, thanks so much for the input.
Yeah I think the strut is toast. Even on smooth roads, im hearing lots of rattling as well.
Ill try to jack it up and remove.

Thanks again!

 

[tweety2300]

It won't shoot up or anything if the strut is blown, you can probly push the strut down enough to loosen the bolt holding the mount on if its blown which from that pic it is