Shocks ( actually spring dampers) are not load carrying components. They simply damped the oscillations of the spring. The springs carry the load, but would tend to continue oscillating. Shocks control the springs.
Although some versions of the MacPherson strut combine the spring and the shock so that the housing for the strut does carry the load, maybe that is what failed.
I'd suspect either a broken spring, or spring mount, or rust thru of a structural component.

In any event, the vehicle's useful lifespan is rapidly approaching zero.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags