The electric motor drive (10) has a motor armature shaft (12) engaging a transmission with a worm gear (14) on the transmission side, which engages a worm wheel (16). The worm gear is movable in at least one axial direction against a force (F) and is mounted on the motor armature shaft so as to rotate with the shaft. The force depends on the axial separation from a normal worm gear position. An Independent claim is also included for a method of operating the drive
