A motor brake apparatus includes an improved torque adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjusting nut having a outer ring groove aligned with an inner ring groove defined in a receiving bore of the brake housing structure. A snap ring is located in the aligned grooves to connect the housing structure and adjusting ring while allowing free rotation therebetween. Inner threads of the adjusting nut engage outer threads of a spring pushing element such that rotation of the adjusting nut causes axial movement of the pushing element. The pushing element engages one or more springs which are thereby compressed or released, depending on which axial direction the pushing element is moved. The spring force varied in this manner results in varying levels of braking torque.