a method of verifying and inspecting the bearing gap between a shaft and a shaft seat of a hydrodynamic bearing includes positioning the shaft in its functional position in the shaft seat of the test bearing . a measuring fluid is then caused to flow through the bearing gap . one or more parameters characterizing the fluid flow through the bearing gap can then be measured . because these parameters of the fluid flow are affected by the dimensions of the bearing gap , the bearing gap can thus be reliably verified . a corresponding device for verifying and inspecting the bearing gap is also provided .