a low - profile spindle motor for a disc drive data storage device includes a cylindrical sleeve which is used to mount the motor to a housing base using press - fitting or adhesive bonding , thus eliminating the vertical height required by screws , bolts or other prior art mounting mechanisms . the same cylindrical sleeve is used to mount the stator stack of the motor , and , on the inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve , to mount the ball bearing assemblies used to allow rotation of a central shaft and attached disc - mounting hub . in another aspect of the invention , ball bearing assemblies having a sealing element on only one side are used to allow greater separation between the ball bearing assemblies , while maintaining a low - profile motor . in yet another aspect of the invention , signals to drive the motor are directed to the stator windings via a printed circuit cable whose termination pads are disposed in the vertical space between adjacent stator windings .