Abstract: An electromagnetic brake assembly is provided for adjusting the axial distance or gap between the brake wheel and pressure plate assembly during rotation of the brake wheel, without increasing the force exerted by the pressure plate assembly on the brake wheel or varying the force exerted by the electromagnetic means on the pressure plate assembly. Preferably, the pressure plate assembly is comprised of a pressure ring for engaging a brake liner on movement of the pressure plate assembly toward the brake wheel, and a brake armature for engaging an electromagnetic means on movement of the pressure plate assembly away from the brake wheel. Such gap control means is in turn comprised of means for selectively moving the pressure ring relative to the brake armature, most desirably by rotating the pressure ring and brake armature relative to each other.