Low profile spindle motor

A disc drive comprising:

• a base casting with a cylindrical bore extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the casting, the bore having a central axis and an interior surface facing the central axis, the inner end of the bore having a stop surface;
• and
• a spindle motor with a cylindrical bearing sleeve,
• the bearing sleeve having an outer surface and a first integral, intermediate flange extending outwardly from the outer surface and forming at least one abutting surface;
• said bearing sleeve mounted in said bore with said flange abutting surface abutting said bore stop surface and with said outer surface of said bearing sleeve between said flange and one end thereof contacting said interior surface of said bore;
• and
• the bearing sleeve having an inner surface and a second integral, intermediate flange extending inwardly from the inner surface and forming upper and lower bearing contact surfaces;
• the spindle motor including upper and lower ball bearing assemblies mounted within the bearing sleeve, with the outer races of the upper and lower bearing assemblies radially contacting the inner surface of the bearing sleeve and axially contacting the upper and lower bearing contact surfaces, respectively;
• and
• a shaft/hub assembly, supported by the inner races of the upper and lower ball bearing assemblies,
• the shaft/hub assembly including a radially extending flange portion having a lower surface in proximity to an upper surface of the outer race of the upper ball bearing assembly and having an outer surface in proximity to the inner surface of the bearing sleeve, so that a labyrinth seal is formed between said flange portion of said shaft/hub assembly and said outer race of said upper ball bearing assembly and said inner surface of said bearing sleeve.