This is a repost, someone suggested I post here to see if anyone else has had the same issue, or can provide an explanation as to how this may have been caused.

This is for a 1989 Camaro RS (2.8L V6)

So I was driving yesterday when I noticed a squealing sound every time I accelerated. I drove the car straight home, and popped the hood to find that the serpentine belt had slipped off. No big deal, until I notice something odd. The steering pump is just hanging out, and the bracket is busted! (See pictures) So my questions are the following:

Since the pump seems fine, is it a reasonably simple job to disassemble everything and replace just the bracket? Also, not sure if you can see it, but the bolt on the lower side of the bracket that goes into the engine block had the head bust off, but the rest of it is still in there.

What could have possibly generated so much force that the bracket would snap. Is it aluminum? I want to make sure that whatever caused this in the first place doesn't happen again.

I had the oil changed last week, and they said there was a small leak, most likely from an old gasket. Could that have got onto the belt causing it to slip? Would the belt slipping to the edge of the pulleys create a change in the tension strong enough to break that bracket?

What other problems should I be looking for? This was pretty obviously a problem, but what else might be going on here?

I have never really had to fix something like this, but am willing to try. That said, I do need to get around, so if it comes down to it, how much should I expect to pay to have this fixed?

https://i.imgur.com/WYgt5yM.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0W4JFyn.jpg

Also, I can take more photos if it helps answer any of these questions, just let me know.

*** The rear bracket is broken as well.

 

Apparently a common issue. Note that the bracket broke at least once before and has been welded.

RBob.