The gear shifter broke off my 02 Mountaineer, the metal part that attaches the shifter lever to the steering column broke.

it probably did the gear selector has a cable attached to it that runs down to transmission --the cable can become disconnected [plastic clips]due to age wear or damaged by debris look under vehicle and check cable and connector also check the connection at the column

broken shift cable or the arm that is on the steering column

there is a small cable/string attached to the steering column part of the shifter. when you move the shifter it pulls the cable/string, which moves the lever in the cluster on the PRNDL display. basically look carefully at where the shifter base is and you should find the cable/string thing, and reattach it.

All depends on make and model. Some have a pin that you force out with a punch or small screwdriver and hammer.
can you provide a pic

sounds like eithor you have a broken shifter cable or it needs adjusted if take off shifter cover you can see shifter cable check see if messed up also it is on transmission see if the metal lever it attaches to is not bent or broke where it attaches to transmission

get a new lever punch out the roll pin that holds it in.replace lever and reinstall roll pin

You will need to remove the steering wheel column cover toward the instrument cluster to access your shifter assembly. it should have 3-4 screws from the bottom side. Most of them are black plastic. It has the shifter and the ignition go thru it. There you should find the shifter housing wore out or your shifter end broken. Very common on these trucks. Especially with people leaving there hand on the shifter while driving. it wears it out. There is a shaft assembly that houses the shifter. It has a pin thru it and is made of pot metal. They wear out often! it would be best for you to call me after disassembly to see what you need. If you need to replace the shaft assembly for the shifter arm it is a bigger job requiring you to drop the steering column down to access the torx screws holding it in. It also has the electric foot control on it. You know the part that makes you have to put your foot on the brake to shift out of park! I have used parts for them and i do ship as well. I am on here with my bisiness ALL TRUCKS 623.826.6329 I just listed on here with my business profile so please make sure you rate this. I am on here as a guru with ford expert badge with another user name but am trying to get my business name caught up! Thanks

This may be similar to the full size Ford shifter. If so, if you can access under the steering column, there is a connection flange on the shift linkage, There are two allen screws attaching the shift lever with a matching flange that attaches to the remainder of the shift linkage. The screws may have come loose and /or fallen out. With a little bit of finesse you'll be able to reinstall and tighten the screws... this should tighten your shifter back up...

There is a bracket with two torx screws that gets loose. You need to tighten that. You will need to remove the plastic and metal shield under the dash, above the brake pedal to see the bracket. Look up above the brake pedal and wiggle the the shift lever and you will see what needs tightened. Worked for me.