a mounting frame having an opening defined therein to receive an operative end of a drive assembly, the operative end of the drive assembly having a power-driven pinion mounted on or near a distal end of the operative end of the drive assembly, the drive assembly including a mounting flange that is larger than the opening, and the mounting frame and mounting flange including complementary sets of holes each set including a hole in the mounting frame and a corresponding hole in the mounting flange;

a shoulder fastener positioned through a first complementary set of holes at a first end of the mounting flange to movably couple the mounting flange to the mounting frame, the fastener being fastened in a manner such that the mounting flange and drive assembly have freedom to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the first complementary set of holes; and

an adjustable length coupling device having a first end coupled mechanically to the mounting frame and a second end coupled mechanically to the mounting flange at a location substantially opposite the first end of the mounting flange, wherein the first end of the adjustable length coupling device is coupled to the mounting frame and the second end of the adjustable length coupling device is coupled to the mounting flange such that adjustment of the length of the coupling device causes the mounting flange and components of the drive assembly attached directly or indirectly to the mounting flange to rotate about said longitudinal axis of the first complementary set of holes resulting in a corresponding adjustment to the backlash of the rack and pinion powertrain assembly.