Is it possible to remove the bottom fixing of a shock absorber to check thequality of the bush and shock

I agree on rubber bushings. I replaced ALL of the bushings on the front of my 65, Car is now as quiet as a new one.

Thanks oldtimer37. As we speak the car is having new ball joints and I found that , when I jacked up the car I could move the rear wheels side to side ( not up and down)??? so they are putting on new bearings, the only thing is I think that the OUTER bearings could still be fine and the half shaft PIVOTING or ROCKING on that bearing if the INNER bearing is gone.?? What do you think? Unfortunately as I have to ship parts from the US to England then pay import duty and VAT tax at 20% and handling charge for the post office of about $15 my loer ball joints came to £210 or about $300 that's why I keep asking the same question.

Thanks Oldtimer, Ill get the garage to look at that then as you say the springs are a problem, which then raises the next issue, could the rubber isolation pads on the front ( or rear) springs be part of the problem, any body got any experience here. I rearlise that any of the front steering could cause issues but the banging Im hearing is a definite UP and DOWN movement, (anybody??)

Get your shock mount bushings checked. It sounds like that is the final problem. Good luck. (Thanks for the 'most helpful")