CARFIX

Ford Granada MY (1977–1981)

The Ford Granada Base offered comfortable and relatively affordable family transportation. Understanding its quirks and maintenance needs can help you keep your Granada running smoothly.

Parts for the Ford Granada MY

Known issues

Granada owners should be aware of potential issues:
• Timing Chain Stretch: The timing chain can stretch over time, particularly in higher-mileage vehicles.
• Rust: Body panels, especially around the windscreen and sills, are prone to rust.
• Automatic Transmission Wear: The automatic transmission can experience wear, potentially requiring repair or replacement. Signs include erratic shifting or slipping.
• Typical Kilometers at Issues: Many of these issues tend to surface between 150,000 and 250,000 kilometers.

WOF tips

When taking your Granada for a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) inspection, pay close attention to these common problem areas:
• Rust: Inspectors will carefully check for rust, especially around the windscreen and sills.
• Worn Ball Joints: Worn ball joints can affect steering and suspension, leading to a WoF failure.

About the Ford Granada MY

Own a Granada? Regular maintenance and awareness of common issues will keep it on the road. Here’s what to consider:

Maintenance Matters:
• Regular servicing, including changing the oil and filter, is recommended every 10,000 km.

Considering Replacing?
• If problems arise in your clutch system, consider a complete advanced clutch system for optimal performance.
• Worn brake pads will affect stopping distance and are a crucial safety element. Consider a brake pad set if yours are worn. Owners often fit brake pads to the front axle and brake shoes to the rear.
• A failing water pump can lead to overheating - address this promptly.
• Wiper blades that streak or fail to clear the windscreen should be replaced for improved visibility. Consider new wiper blades for the front.
• Spark plugs ensure efficient combustion; replace them according to the service schedule.

Brake System Care: Brake components are critical.
• Overhauling your brake calipers includes replacing the brake caliper piston and brake caliper kit.
• A brake master cylinder kit might be needed when the master cylinder starts leaking or affecting braking performance.

Suspension & Drivetrain Considerations:
• Keep an eye on your wheel bearings. A worn wheel bearing kit may be needed for the rear.
• Coil spring saddles on the front axel ensure ride health, so keep an eye on those during regular maintenance.

Questions owners ask

How often should I service my 1977-1981 Ford Granada?
It's recommended to service your Ford Granada every 10,000 km. This includes changing the oil and oil filter to keep the engine running smoothly.
What are some common rust areas I should check on my Ford Granada for its WoF?
When taking your Ford Granada for a WoF, be sure to inspect for rust, especially around the windscreen and sills. These are common areas where rust develops and can cause a WoF failure.
My Ford Granada's automatic transmission is slipping. What could be the problem?
Automatic transmissions in the Ford Granada can experience wear, especially in vehicles with 150,000 to 250,000 kilometers. Erratic shifting or slipping are signs that the transmission may need repair or replacement.
Where can I get brake pads for my 1977-1981 Ford Granada in NZ?
CARFIX stocks 25 SKUs for the Ford Granada 1977-1981, including brake pad sets. Worn brake pads will affect stopping distance and are a crucial safety element. Owners often fit brake pads to the front axle and brake shoes to the rear.
What are some common issues to look out for on a high-mileage Ford Granada?
On a Ford Granada with between 150,000 and 250,000 kilometers, watch out for a stretched timing chain, rust in the body panels (especially around the windscreen and sills), and wear in the automatic transmission.
What should I check on the front suspension of my Ford Granada?
Keep an eye on the coil spring saddles on the front axle. These are important for ride health and should be inspected during regular maintenance.
What should I check for on my Ford Granada to pass its WoF?
For a WoF, inspectors will check for rust, especially around the windscreen and sills. They will also check for worn ball joints which can affect steering and suspension.