What is an acceptable ujoint?

[Pete W]

Can they be a little tight? Should they flop around like rag doll?

 

[fordconvert]

Im not an expert but I have seen them flop and not be bad. New or newish ones will be somewhat stiff because of the grease and the seals. By stiff I mean that if you bent a regular size paper clip straight you would easily be able to move it around without the paper clip bending.

 

[CobraSix]

Flopping is not good. Super tight isn't either.

 

[New Lime 69]

The U-joint (if out of the vehicle, but installed on the yoke) should be snug. If on the vehicle you should not be able to move it side to side at all. If you can, you will feel that as vibration.