The manual says this could be an accessory drive belt failure.

Anyone else have a different take? It drove fine this morning on the way to work...6 hours later I started it up and the steering was done.

And does anyone have an idea of how much one of these belts costs to replace?

Thank you

 

It will cost just the belt ($30-$40 ?) if you do it yourself. I take it the belt is broken?
All you need to know is the route of the belt and then be able to move the belt tensioner.

 

Belt is $35-$40 usually, and you can easily replace it yourself, all that is needed is a 17MM socket & wrench, or pull bar.
There is a 'boss' cast into the tensioner pulley, ( the pulley located at 2 o'clock from the crankshaft pulley when viewed from the front )
The 'boss' is at about 7 o'clock below the pulley.
Put the socket on the boss and rotate the tensioner counterclockwise after you have threaded the belt, put the belt over the tensioner pulley and release pressure. ALL DONE !

NOTE: often the belt has come off due to an oil leak in the area of the oil filter - CHECK THIS !
or you will be putting on yet another belt.

 

Don't drive it hot. Overheated engines can lead to BIG problmes ie money.

 

Your belt tensioner might be losing it's spring. If your belt is gone (shredded, worn noticeably) then it's the belt (obviously) but if your belt doesn't look that bad your tensioner could be the culprit.