An electric power steering apparatus comprises a steering assisting
electric motor having an output shaft and a speed reduction mechanism.
The speed reduction mechanism includes conical first and second gears to
be engaged with each other. The first and second gears include a
plurality of teeth each having a tooth surface. The mutually
corresponding tooth surfaces of the first and second gears each include
engaging regions to be engaged with each other. A center position in a
tooth width direction of the engaging region of each tooth surface of the
first gear in an unloaded state is offset by a first offset amount from
center position in the tooth width direction of the tooth surface of the
first gear to a relatively small end portion of the tooth of the first
gear. A center position in a tooth width direction of the engaging region
of each tooth surface of the second gear in an unloaded state is offset
by a second offset amount from a center position in the tooth width
direction of the tooth surface of the second gear to a relatively small
end portion of the tooth of the second gear.