What should I be listening or feeling for as an indicator o my U-Joints are on the way out?

 

You would hear a knocking or rattling as you accelerate, and when turning. That's about as much as I know to diagnose a bad UJ

 

Feel for play: on the driveshaft for example grab the areas on both sides of the u-joint and try to wiggle, pull etc. U-joint should be tight, not allowing for play.

Listen for grinding, cluncking for example when taking corners.

All the above varies with the degree the u-joint is going bad.

 

With parking brake on, wheels blocked, transmission in neutral, climb under and grab the drive shaft. Try turning and moving up and down, check both ends of both driveshafts. Checking the little UJ on the front axle is a little harder, but you would notice a noise coming from the front when turning and driving. If you have a vibration when driving, and more with the faster you drive, and suspect the UJ, then do above.....RR

 

Just make sure that when you do this, the wheels are blocked and tranny in neutral. Had a guy at work had a vibration and checked his UJoints, told me they were fine, and he couldn't find the cause of the vibration. I asked if he had it in park, the answer, yes. Went back and checked them again, but with his truck in neutral, found his bad U-joint.....RR