Hello all,

I was wondering how do all the folks who live in an apartment complex, work on their vehicles?

I just moved in my apartment, and it is a common parking lot, Even changing a flat would be a challenge due to the parking space.

How do you guys do it?

 

When I lived in an apartment the only thing I would do was spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, oil changes and brakes. Anything more than that and I would go to my brothers. Even towards my last few months there they were complaining about me doing oil changes. I never spilled a drop on the ground but they still complained!

 

I would say try the remotest parking area in your complex. Less traffic and cars the better. If you check with your managers they will probably say no.

 

I have just changed my headlights and installed an air horn in my apartment parking lot. I am about to change the oil this week. I don't think they care. My brother changed his bumper support a few years back and they said nothing. If anything girls will think it's hot and start talking to you.

 

i think its all up to where you live....ive done suspension install, brakes, MEVI, intake spacers, exhaust install, lots of oil changes, painted rims several times, EManage, even did the clutch all out in the parking lot, lol. like i said, its up to where u live really. even the the guys that do the a/c and keep up the complex come and help me out sometimes.

 

You did all that in an apartment complex parking lot?

At the most, I would be rotating tires, changing spark plugs, and other basic stuff- which would not be a problem.

Once I start to build my nerves and brains to work under the car (eg exhaust) then I might have some space problems.


Time to bust out my toolset!

 

well ive done simple stuff and not so easy stuff in my half a$$ed garage(no power)

Plugs,oil,brakes,rotate tires,change injectors, vias fix(with upper totally off) change all kinds of sensors, emanage, LC-1 install, axles,ae'd head lights, i was going to do my 00vi swap in the garage but decided against it(thank god)

i cant say though that any of that was convient at all

 

Simply put if you can't get it done quietly, in one day and out of the manager's sight don't do it.

Worst I did was the rear axle on my truck. Started at 9PM Monday had everything done by 3 AM Tuesday except for bleeding brakes. Still had to rent a dammed car but the mangement never saw or heard anything. I have done other bigger jobs in my old apartment's carport including, build a HF trailer, brakes, cooling system R&R, valve covers, Tune-ups, electrical work, R&R a gas tank, etc.

Luckilly I'm at a house now so I can let the truck (or car) sit for a little bit before having to get it done.

 

at my last condo i had to work in my undersized garage where i only did acouple things (trans-go shift kit, AE headlight mod, basic PM stuff) because we werent supposed to work on our cars, but at my new place im allowed to do whatever as long as im not taking up alot of space, i guess it just depends were u live.

 

I just thug it out and do it any where i can. I'll try to do it in the most discrete place i can but if the lots full, i set up shop wherever i'm parked

 

Did a clutch job on a 914 Porsche one time in an apt parking lot in Knoxville TN in the middle of August. It sucked! Management was not happy, but we were half way through before they found out. Free oil change and brake job for the Super, and she was content.

 

Haha thats cool.

My townhouse complex has parking lots like an apartment and I do all of my work right out there. I've done to much to name on my max and my Z.

 

I have a garage but i've done some apartment installs for a few friends.
-wheels
-exhaust
-suspension
-oil changes
-radiator changes
-full tune ups
-vafc/safc

That's all i can remember for now. We keep it quiet so no one complains.

 

I've done mostly stereo stuff in my old garage, and no one said anything. However, when I took apart my doors, they came down and asked me to stop. However, now I rent a townhouse, so no one to tell anything anymore

 

heh i just did my injectors. The groundsmen drove by me like 10 times just lookin at me, then i would look at them they would look at the road and do another lap. funny

idk man I just did it got it done and now im back on the road. Some guy was doing an oil change when i got home from work (10pm). I guess you can mod in the moon light!

 

I've changed a RWD clutch (on my BMW), re-aligned my rear beam, I rotate my tires, change my oil, plugs, etc. and I clean my car at my apartment complex. Doesn't seem to be a big issue besides the fact that I have to haul tools out to the parking lot to start working

 

It sucks when you forget a tool. You look like a crazy person, not knowing what to do next

I just bring my drawer of 3/8s down... then I forget stuff I need in my other drawer upstairs!

 

i dont know about apt. complexes, but another challenge is doing things on a small street in front of your house with cars zooming by... every time i'm under the car, and a car comes by, i pray "please dont let that car side swipe me!"

 

I've done a full 3.5 swap , full exhaust install and more in my parking lot... lol

no one gave me **** ever

 

I see a rad hose, brake pads, your hood on the grass, and TIN SNIPS.

WHAT were you doing that day?!

 

My 00vi swap. For some strange reason my brother like to put EVERYTHING in the tool box after we finish something. So old brakes, hoses, clamps, and anything else that fits ends up in there.