Abstract: A method to create an improved hydrodynamic bearing which is relatively insensitive to changes in load and rotational speed is provided, wherein the hydrodynamic bearing is useful in a spindle motor for a disc drive or the like which is stiffer than known standard spindle motors so that the stability of the system and specifically of the actuator arm and transducer relative to the rotating disc is optimized. The hydrodynamic bearing can also be used as a bearing cartridge or as the cartridge that may be incorporated into a spindle motor or the like, where the bearing includes a shaft and at least two independent bearings each comprising a thrust plate supported on the shaft and a counter plate incorporated in a sleeve which is capable of relative rotation around the shaft.