Here's an expensive mystery..I drive a 2008 5.7 4WD with 190K

I started to hear a groaning/creaking sound when I turned the wheel, so I brought it to the dealership. They suspected sway bar links, which they replaced in January.

2 days later it still creaked..but then went away. Figured they were still getting "broken in".

2 weeks later I started hearing a new higher pitched whining/groaning sound from the engine bay at start and idling.

I checked all the pulleys, they seemed good, but figured maybe it was time to replace the tensioner and idler pulleys, so I ordered the parts.

A few days later, before I could do the repair, the belt snapped while I was doing 65 on the highway. No accident, I pulled over and got a tow home.

I replaced the belt, tensioner and idler pulleys. Started it up, and the groaning sound was much worse.. turned off the engine after :10 seconds, suspected we had a bad power steering pump. I ordered a remanufactured pump and pulley from Rock Auto.

While I'm installing the new pump a week later, I see the reservoir in the old PS pump is empty, and a big puddle under the car.
Looks like power steering fluid has leaked out of the steering boot.

And then I notice this...seems like the new sway bar link broke?

So I'm wondering..
Is the broken brand new sway bar link, snapped belt, and leaky steering bellows related? Did one cause the other? Or are these just 3 different issues coincendences?

I'm going to the dealership to have them replace the faulty link, but would cause damaging to the steering rack?

bad idler pulley after belt snapped

steering boot leak drivers side

steering boot leak drivers side

steering boot

bad sway link drivers side

good sway link

drivers side bad sway link

 

If I had to guess, I would say the belt snapped because the PS pump was locking up due to being low on fluid. The sway bar link being broken is unusual for sure. You will need to reseal or replace your steering rack before you get back on the road with it, or it will happen again.