Hi i have a 2001 dodge ram and would like to know how you are supposed to check for bad u joints. I heard from a friend that you just go under the truck and shake the driveshaft. I did this and there was no shaking, however at take off from a stop sign the truck feels like there is a slight binding like when you drive a 4x4 on dry pavement and turn.

 

Edited response

 

for drive shaft - block wheels, parking brake off, trans in neutral - this gets all the tension off the drive line. get under the truck and locate the 2 u-joints on each end of the drive shaft. take a good light and long stiff screwdriver with you.

grab ahold of the 2 halves of the u-joint with each hand, and twist them back and forth. any movement at all in the cross or caps is bad.

also inspect the 4 grease seals at the cap. any missing or cracked is bad.

stick the screwdriver through the cross and pry one arm against the other. any movement is bad.


for the front axles. with wheels on the ground, grab ahold of the inner front axle shaft and twist it back and forth. any click or clack sound from the the u-joint is bad. visual inspect the seals. any missing or cracked is bad.