An apparatus for use in turning steerable wheels of a vehicle includes a first gear (16) and a second gear (14). The first gear (16) is movable along an axis (24) to reduce clearance between meshing teeth (18 and 20) on the gears (14 and 16). A lash adjustment assembly (46) is operable to adjust the clearance between the teeth (18 and 20) of the gears (14 and 16). The lash adjustment assembly (46) includes a threaded member (60). An external thread convolution (66) on a shank portion (64) of the threaded member (60) engages an internal thread convolution (68) on the first gear (16). A spring (72) has a plurality of turns (78) which are coiled around the shank portion (64) of the threaded member (60). One end portion of the spring (72) is connected to the shank portion (64) of the externally threaded force member (60). The opposite end portion (74) of the spring (72) is movable between an active condition in which it is effective to transmit force to a housing (30) and an inactive condition in which it is effective to transmit force to the threaded member (60).