156 power steering belt/pulley repair

[Jarryd]

Hi,
I have recently bought a 1999 Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 manual
It's my first car and last friday I was driving and there was a bang and my power steering stopped working. It still drives however I took it straight to a mechanic and he has had a look at it and said the power steering belt broke and the pulley is missing. Is it likely that anything else may have been damaged in these events. I bought the car in feb and it came with a warranty however the warranty seems to only cover certain aspects of the car.

It's still at the current mechanics basically being stored (I am not driving it as I am worried about it doing more damage)

What would be the best and most cost effective place to get it fixed, I am in the western suburbs of melbourne and the car is at hoppers crossing?? Would it be okay to drive the car to the service centre or should it get towed? The 120,000 km (timing belt) service is nearly due I figure I may as well do it all in one go.

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[John Hanslow]

Do not know about the steering --- but the belt needs changing every 3 years or 60,000kms which ever comes first. That is a fact.

The results of belt failure can be costly, so get it changed if necessary - and that may include other items that are worn that need replacing like the variator.

Take io to an alfa specialist like Maranello (Brunswick) which is probably the closest. They know the car, what has to be done etc ..

Cheers.