A combined material gear and a method of assembling therefor includes a toothed ring gear having evenly spaced outer gear teeth on an outer circumference and made of a metallic material. An inner ring of the toothed ring gear is configured with evenly spaced inner gear teeth alternating with inner gear grooves. A radially extending rib is centrally located within the inner ring between each inner gear tooth. First and second spline gears, made of one of a thermoplastic material and a powder metal material, have an outer circumference with evenly spaced outer spline teeth alternating with outer spline grooves. The outer spline teeth fit in the inner gear grooves of the toothed ring gear and abut the radially extending rib, with each spline gear being on opposite side. This configuration provides improved damping, self-alignment, and a balance of strength and weight. Front-page drawing from US12359712B1