An elevator machine (20) assembly useful in an elevator system (10) includes a motor frame (26) that supports a motor (24) for selectively rotating a motor shaft (28). A brake (36) selectively appliesa braking force to resist rotation of the motor shaft (28). At least one load sensor (46) resists undesirable movement of the brake (36) and provides an indication of a load that results from applyingthe braking force. A disclosed example includes using a first resistive member (46) to resist movement of the brake (36) relative to the motor frame (26) when the load is below a threshold load andus ing a second resistive member (60) to resist movement when the load exceeds the threshold load.