Abstract: A means for securing a connection between a planetary gear unit including one or more planet gear sets and a drum member surrounding them, wherein the planet gear carrier (8) carrying the planet gears (10) rotatably mounted on planet gear spindles (9) includes a larger diameter disc member (14) connected to the open end of the drum member (16) by a projection and recess (17/18) connection. Connection is axially secured by a securing element (30) formed as a ring adjacent the disc member (14) and having at least two, and preferably three, pairs of spreading arms extending radially into the recesses (18) of the drum member (16). The recesses (18) are provided with grooves (19) located in front of the plane of the disc member (14). The end edges (36) of the radial spreading arms (32) are engageable in the grooves (19) in the circumferential direction by plastic or elastic deformation.