Wilmington and Millsboro Auto Repair

Buckley's Auto Care Loves Supporting The Paul Kares Foundation Over the decades of serving our communities with automotive services, we have the pleasure of getting to know and be part of some amazing individuals who share in the desire to give back to the communities they are settled in.  Paul Cullen of Paul's Kitchen and The Room at Cedar Grove, is one of those individuals. I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with Paul at a private dinner with friends about a year ago. What an amazing time and experience that was. It was there that Paul explained his mission for Paul Kares; to give kids who are interested in music and the culinary arts the resources to do so. His foundation raises money through hosting some of the best artist in the region at The Room at Cedar Grove, a small, quain ... read more

If you’re driving down the road and all of sudden hear a rattle (sort of like a tin can) coming from one of the rear wheels, you may have a situation with the rear parking brake shoes.    Take a moment to watch our Mercedes video. The parking brake is designed to safely and securely hold the vehicle in position while parked. Parking brakes come in two different types; brake shoes that are under the rear disc rotors, or a system that compresses the rear disc pads (hydraulically or manually) By applying the parking brake you also place the weight of the vehicle onto the rear wheels, saving stress on the transmission parking pawl.  We have a case with this Mercedes Benz was giving us a bit of hard time when asked to give up the rattle that was persistently hiding from us.   After checking all of the usual suspects, exhaust, loose sheet metal, wheel areas, trunk, etc., it turns out that the rattle was hiding under the left rear brake rotor.&nb ... read more

Why Do I Feel A Clunk In My Hyundai Steering Wheel?    If you are experiencing a clunking type feel in your Hyundai steering wheel, there’s a good chance that you have a broken flex coupler. Now, what’s a flex coupler?  The flex coupler is similar to a universal joint that connects the steering column to the electronic steering motor. It’s purpose is to allow smooth turning when placing the wheels at the extremes - left or right. It also reduces stress on the rest of the steering components.  As you can see in the video, the flex coupler is a small, rubber type bushing that looks like a snow flake or asterisk. The points of the coupler are designed to match the column and electronic steering motor precisely so it can reduce the vibration.  The cost of repair is primarily due to the labor for replacing the coupler as the coupler itself is negligible in the context of the repair. Average time to replace the coupler i ... read more

  Henry's Car Care Center Closes I was kind of shocked to hear that another long time, family automotive repair center had closed its doors. Henry DiDonato had operated his repair shop for decades. Henry also operated the Exxon station on the corner of Kirkwood and St. James as well. If memory serves me, his brother Joe operated the old ARCO (then Shell Station) right in Greenville. Joe’s location now boasts a Bank Of America branch. I’ve always considered Henry’s one of the best service center’s in the area because I knew his team always looked out for their customers. They will be missed, I’m sure. With the changes in automotive technology today, I am seeing more and more longtime stalwarts in the automotive service fields, close or simply retire. Automotive repair and operating an automotive center is not easy. It takes a tremendous amount of tools, equipment and skilled technicians to make sure vehicles can operate safely, eff ... read more

I'll be the first to admit that the COVID reality has been very tough on me as we've gone from fighting the spread, reducing the curve to restrictions, masks in all public places, favorite places closing and restrictions that are curtailing our normal feeling of freedom. No matter what side of the story you fall on, there's no doubt that all of us are affected by the changes, the gap in services or products and most certainly, the isolation.  Of all the freedoms that we are accustomed to as Americans, these times have put a dent in them. But, there's one thing most of us can do. Get outside. Go for a walk. Get some sunshine. For me, I had to take a DRIVE. Literally get in the car and take a ten hour trip to the beautiful state of Maine. With my wife Patty and my co-pilot, we got to explore the wonders of "The Pine Tree State". Funny to me, but the fall foliage seems to take second seat to the wonderful coastlines as it's jets out further east than mo ... read more