44 1.6 SI back end 'skipping' all over the place

My 440 1.6 SI (N reg 78,000) has developed a handling / ride problem and I would be grateful if anybody can suggest a plausible reason / cause / solution.

When driving along a bumpy surface even at low speed the rear seems to 'skip' about rather than just absorb the bumps/undulations. As long as I drive carefully I can deal with this, but occasionally when needs must I have to speed up and its then that things become more noticeable to the extent that its probably dangerous, so I just have to keep my speed down.

It appears fine on smooth surfaces and at speed in a straight line the car handles fine. There is no problem even when braking hard from moderate speeds.

My suspicion points towards the rear suspension set up especially the nearside. I am also now getting a knocking sound from that area, although it’s not a metal on metal sound, more like a dull thuds. The noise occurs when you’re going over the bumpy surfaces and not on smooth ones.

I’ve had a quick look at the suspension with the wheel removed and nothing springs out as to the problem.

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

[COBRA31]

it sounds like the supsension has gone not the springs the other bit what there called mind gone blank been at work 12 hours got 3 more hours to go but anyway thats what it sounds like you need to change them there cheap enough as well

check that your back shocks are not leaking, take the 2 back shocks off (only 2 bolts, 1 at top, 1 at bottom) and push it till its down fully, if it pulls up and down to easilly then replace them, theyre relitavely cheap, about £30 each side, if your feeling flush then get some new springs as well. hope this helps.

As was correctly pointed out, the culprit was my nearside shock. Now rectified. Many thanks for the advice.