Steering belt keeps snapping

My girlfiend's Chrysler Cirrus repeatingly suffers from a steering belt snapping - causing the steering to become very stiff. About eightmonths ago she had to have a tie rod replaced, and since then the steering belt has snapped over 3 times. Her mechanic can't find any obvious problems but thankfully seems happy to replace it for free.

Does anyone out there have any experience concerning this or can make any suggestion what the problem may be?

(sorry if I am using the wrong term for the part in question, but I hope you recognize what I am referring to)

Many thanks,

Padua :-)

make sure the belt is not on too tight. The drivebelt that controls the power steering pump should have an automatic tensioner; have the replaced. Next option would be to check the power steering pump and other pulleys that are driven by that one belt, make sure they're not seized thus causing the belt to break due to stress.

Thank you kindly for your advice.

We just got the car back yesterday and the mechanic said this time the belt wasn't broken, but the car had a steering fluid leak so something is definitely wacked in that part of the car.

Anyway we will look into all the things you mentioned... thanks again for your help.

Padua

make sure the belt is not on too tight. The drivebelt that controls the power steering pump should have an automatic tensioner; have the replaced. Next option would be to check the power steering pump and other pulleys that are driven by that one belt, make sure they're not seized thus causing the belt to break due to stress.