Hi Everyone,

Wasn't sure where to post this. I just recently moved from the east coast to the SFbay area. I live in an apartment complex where they don't allow car maintenance work to be done. I want to change my brake pads and my rotors which would require me to jack up my car and take tires off.

I don't have access or know anyone with a driveway and I'm not sure what the rules are of just going to a school/park/side of road to work on the car.

Looked on craigslist for people renting out their garages, and the prices are geared more towards monthly rental not daily rental, and I'd rather find a location that I could do future maintenance work.

Does anyone know of any places of have any suggestions (preferably near foster city? )

I appreciate any help, thanks.

 

would be awesome to have a place like this in the bay area http://www.wrench-it.com/

12 bux an hour for an open bay to work on your car, lifts for under 20 bux

 

Doubt it, rental space in NorCal is still bad. Only heard of this in Vacaville, Gear One Rent-A-Bay but last time I seen something like this was in Ft. Hood, TX. Another option is, I alway see folks doing repairs at Track Days, don't know what the rules are but this Monday I seen a guy doing a rotor and pad replacement next to me in the paddocks at Laguna Seca.

 

Chances are, any parking lot you go to would be "private property", where they would ask you to leave. Even if a lot is empty, they'd be concerned that you'd leak chemicals or otherwise leave a mess. If you work, and there's a parking lot asssociated with your job, you could ask your boss if it'd be cool to work in the lot for a couple hours. Or maybe ask a coworker that you're cool with if you could use their driveaway (maybe offer to buy them dinner or some other compensation). Heh, or do it at your apartment complex lot in the middle of the night when no one's paying attention.

 

Hey guys, Thanks for the replies,

Laguna Seca is a little too far for me.

Yeah figured couldn't do it in empty parking lots. Wish I could do it at my work lot, but it's more of a corporation with their own security, and their pretty strict. Apartment complex late at night might work, except I'm afraid I might look really suspicious if some random person came out at night and saw me working on the car, they might think I'm trying to break into it and call the cops.

Listed an ad on craiglist, no luck yet, plan on calling city hall to ask if they had areas where I could, but ... don't expect good things to come from it.

Any other ideas?

Thanks again

 

Too bad these cars didn't come with a spare tire; you could put it next to you as you work and then at a glance, it'll look like you're merely changing out a flat tire.

 

Maybe Great America, Canlestick Park or Oakland Coliseum during their Auto-X days, again I see a lot of folk turning a wrench at these events.

 

I would check with local clubs (REME, NorCal, etc). I bet someone would be willing to lend you their garage for an afternoon!

 

We do mod days on my GTO forum.

Lucky for you I'm in San Mateo and would be willing to help you do a brake job or oil change.

I'm right off Hillsdale on the other side of 101. Shoot me an email and will find a weekend to hook up.