A planetary gear arrangement having at least three rotatable members with intermeshing gears and a primary torque path defined therein. At least one active friction damper is disposed between two of the planetary gear members, for example, a sun gear and a ring gear. The active damper is selectively operable to apply frictional engagement between the two members with which it is interconnected to establish a controlled secondary torque path therebetween. The active damper is effective to reduce gear lash changes between the gear members of a planetary assembly.