Abstract: A method of bringing a gear member and a pinion member into mesh with one another without causing damage to either or both members. Each of the members of the gear pair has an axis of rotation and a plurality of teeth with respective topland surfaces with at least one of the members having teeth, and thus toplands, extending lengthwise at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation of said member. The method comprises moving one member of the gear pair from a pre-mesh position relatively toward the other member of the gear pair along a meshing path which includes relative movement along (1) a sliding path oriented in the direction of the angle of the toplands and (2) along an axial path in the direction of the gear member axis whereby upon contact between any topland surfaces of the members, rotation of at least one of the members will result thus enabling the teeth to be relatively positioned so that meshing occurs.