Question

My car's brakes and steering seem to have jammed, what could be the issue?

Answer 1

If the car is a diesel, it has a vacuum pump. Did you lose the belt the runs the vacuum pump and the power steering? That would make the brakes hard and the steering suck. If all the belts are there, check the vacuum pump.

Answer 2

If the engine stalls while driving, you have no power to run the power steering and brakes. But your vacuum pump may need rebuilding. It is driven off the engine and generates the vacuum for your power brakes and other accessories. Check your vacuum readings at idle and make sure all your belts are good.

Answer 3

You lost a belt. Hopefully the overheating didnt damage your engine. Look at all your belts and check all the fluid levels.