In a device for releasing a securing screw for a unit in a housing, in particular a pinion unit in a steering gear of a motor vehicle, the securing screw is connected via an external thread to an internal thread in the housing, wherein the securing screw is provided with a latching device, which has latching levers disposed distributed on the circumference of the securing screw, each of which said latching levers is provided with latching lugs disposed on the free ends of the latching levers. The latching lugs latch into teething gaps of a teething geometry of the housing. The latching devices can be connected to a tool in order to release the latching levers having the latching lugs from the latched position by means of a radially inwardly directed movement of the latching levers.