Like the title says, when I shift in to drive she shifts really hard. I just changed out the fluid and transmission filter hoping it would make it a little better but it did not. Anyone experience this?
Thank you!

 

What do you mean, "the engine lurches forward"? It's moving forward in the engine compartment? OR do you mean the whole vehicle lurches forward?

 

It clunks and the whole vehicle lurches forward.

 

Sounds like the TV cable is out of adjustment.

 

I adjusted the cable but it is still going it. When I place her in to drive she ****s rough.

 

Does it also buck and shudder when accelerating? The hard shifting I cured with adjusting the TV cable. The bucking and shuddering was cured with a new throttle position sensor.

 

Look at the engine and trans mounts and driveshaft u-joints.

Noggin pokin time.

BTW, how did that "filter" look after you went to the trouble to pull the pan and change it?

 

The filter looked fine. The fluid was pretty dark and smelled a bit burnt. While I was under there I checked my U-joints and they looked fine. I did not look at the mounts however.

 

You're on the right track.

 

One note on the U joints, sometimes if you check them when in Park they will seem tight, but it's because the driveshaft is loaded since it's holding the vehicle in place. Make sure you put it in Neutral and chock the wheels, then check the driveshaft U joints. Also, you could grease your slip yoke if that hasn't been done in a while. And, Cherokees do have a small clunk when putting them in D anyway, at least in my experience.