While driving the other day, something snapped and the power steering didn't work. On inspection, the serpentine belt was broken and my mechanic said the power steering pump bracket broke, causing the belt to break. Does this wound plausible? Can I buy only the bracket and not the pump? About how much should this cost?

No. A timing belt is used to keep the mechanical parts of the engine in the correct timing position. The belt connects the Cam shaft to the Crankshaft so the valves open and close when they are supposed to. If this belt snaps it can cause a lot of damage.
A fan belt, also known as a serpentine belt, powers separate parts like the alternator, power steering pump and AC pump. If this belt snaps it is less serious but needs to be repaired as soon as possible.

If you knew how vehicles work then maybe
does belt drive alternator ? (charges battery ! )
does belt drive cooling fan in back of radiator ?
does the belt drive the power steering hydraulic pump ?

In the old days there were three different belts to deal with on a car. Now there is usually just one the serpentine belt. This is one long wide belt drives the alternator, air conditioner and water pump.Fans are usually electric and run off the battery now. How does one know when the belt drive in ones automobile is going bad? Here are some signs that will indicate when it is time to change a serpentine belt.

Sign 1: When the belt is noisy it is a good time to inspect the belt to see why. This could be caused from water on the belt to oil being on the belt. Check the belt to see if it is wet or oily. If it is wet and it is raining this will pass. The oil though may be another problem one needs to see if there is an oil leak that is visible. Another cause may be when one is putting oil into the car and some may have spilled onto the engine.

There are a number of belt cleaners on the market to get oil off. Try one of these before replacing the belt.

Sign 2: The belt could be wearing on the side. Just like a tire a belt could be wearing on one side or the other. This could be caused by the belt rubbing against something like a screw or who knows what?

Look closely and try to find the problem, if it is a loose screw tighten it. If one is not sure take it to a mechanics shop to see what the problem may be. This could save one from a break down on some cold or hot night.

Sign 3: The serpentine belt has what one might call ribbed or notched areas on the belt that faces the pulley assembly. These ribs can eventually wear off. Small amounts of wear are not reason for concern. It is not uncommon to have four or five notches missing or worn and the belt still functioning. This would be a judgment call for replacement.

Keeping this belt replaced as needed is a must. No one wants something to happen when they are on an isolated stretch of roadway. I remember once having a power steering belt break many years ago when I was on a road trip needless to say steering the vehicle did require much more work.

Break downs are no fun. Listen to ones mechanic when they tell you it is time to change one part or another.

They do not stretch that much. That engine uses a serpentine belt. Something has gone bad that caused the belt to come loose. All pulleys must be inspected to diagnose the problem.

Not too difficult to do it right there apparently

http://www.ehow.com/how_5833657_replace-serpentine-belt-pt-cruiser.html


http://www.decor-styles.com/car-styles/Replace-a-Serpentine-Belt-on-a-PT-Cruiser.html

Have you checked your tie rods? Possibility one is either bent or broken, I've seen it before on TB's. That pulley shaft is a common problem to break, especially when cold out. PS pumps/pulley shafts and tie rods will snap if doing donuts in the snow with the steering wheel cranked, or off-roading. The PS is completely mechanical, no fuses or relays.

Make sure the serpentine belt is still on the engine. Sounds like a pulley seized and the belt snapped. The belt runs everything including your alternator which is likely why it isn't running right...eventually it will stall and not start, or, overheat.

HI, this is the result of a worn power steering belt. in this case, the pulley may be worn or, the entire serpentine belt may be worn altogether. have the power steering pump inspected for pulley and gear damage. inspect the serpentine belt for worn sections as well.

Most common issue will be a worn drive belt(serpentine)

It could be the fanbelt has snapped which drives the power steering pump and the alternater too, please check the belts.

Check serpentine belt. It may be broken.
If all belts are in good shape and tensioned properly have the car looked at by a mechanic for troubleshooting.