fresh_air

Sooo, I heard some flapping, was only 2 miles from home and kept driving. Wtf, I should have known better. At my driveway, the gauges when crazy and I lost power steering, but, being stupid, I drove another 500 yards to park it. Including backing it around to face the jeep forward for the inevitable tow in the morning. At that point I could smell/see the coolant steam. My mechanic replaced the water pump (the cause) and the serpentine belt. The steering and something in shifting felt wonky at first, but not too bad after driving it a bit. Jeep just does not feel the same.... Then the brake pedal felt too soft. Fluid was way too low so I filled it up. Haven't driven it again yet. Rusted brake lines? Have I done serious damage to my jeep? '98 stock, 215,000 miles.

Scott91370

You could do a compression/leakdown test to see if the head got hot enough to warp. Or you can check the coolant replace the belt and see if it overheats while driving it.
I don't know if the trans fluid goes through the radiator for cooling but if it does it could have gotten hot and need to be replaced.

RocketMouse

I would say if it was only the belt that went South on you... then chances are good that you motor is fine. Our good ole in-line 6 4.0's use a timing chain. So unless that broke... it's probably not that bad.
Serpentine belts are almost always only to drive accessories...not the actual timing of the motor and valve-train.

RockinRonnie

If power steering was fine till you got to your driveway then everything was still turning. When you lost power steering that is when the belt broke or came off Things should be fine. I would think now your nervous and thinking that things are wrong. Far as brakes they would have nothing to do with the belt braking I would think its just that you are watching for things now if there is no leaks then maybe pads or shoes need to be changed worn pads would cause the fluid to be low. ( as pads wear the caliper piston will be farther out allowing fluid to stay in caliper and not returning to master cyl. )

craigjacob1

When you lost power steering is when you lost the belt. If the overheating was significant the motor would have shut down.
I doubt you warped or cracked the cylinder head, but it is possible.
Top off your power steering fluid and drive it a bit more. It's likely fine.
Overheating can amplify existing problems, so check everything regularly.
For example I overheated my jeep once, and the already leaky injectors started gushing fuel.