When my contour's rear were blown, they made some noise (like a clunk or thump sometimes) and one day the back end tried to come around.
When all of them on my escorts were blown, you could hear and feel them bottoming out on speed bumps.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15