1996 Punto Mk1 55SX, possible rear springs or dampers at end of life. Would appreciate input from members of forum.
Car drives reasonably well, few odd niggles with the engine and the clutch is close to being changed.
What concerns me though is the cars behavior when driven through a left handed bend with perhaps a little to much gusto. For anyone who knows the road, heading away from East London on the A102 at Kidbrooke, road bears left just after the A20 junction. Taking that bend at 45MPH is an entertaining experience!
The off side rear feels like it is floating. Cars start understeering and the rear suspension feels like its made of fairy dust.

Please note, ths doesnt happen when taking a right handed bend.

I have tried the suspension bounce test. The suspension is quite stiff and I couldnt generate an uncontrolled bounce.

The springs are complete, but pitted with surface rust,
The spring mountings and rubber seats are all ok.
There is no obvious sign of leakage from either shock absorber.

At last the question, Springs, shocks or something else?

I've had Austin Montego** rear suspension, that passed the bounce test. nearly throw me off the M40 concrete section (before it was resurfaced with nice quiet tarmac). It went into a weave and I only just avoided a tank slapper.

But handling is affected by tyres, suspension joints and dampers (shocks).

** which was actually quite a good handling car.

Springs are quite soft and old shocks even if they don't show signs of leakage may be well past their prime. Springs will be worn evenly so they are not the cause of the uneven cornering performance. More likely some suspension component on the right side (left cornering) of the car is worn more then left side. Check the tires it may just be an under inflated tire that causes the problem.