A hydrodynamic thrust bearing, forming a part of a bearing system for a rotary bearing of spindle motors utilized to power hard disk drives, which includes at least one annular thrust plate and a counter bearing corresponding to the thrust plate. The thrust plate is firmly connected to a shaft rotatably supported by a radial bearing system. The shaft features an axial bore extends from one shaft end located outside the bearing system until the area where the thrust plate is to be positioned. A fixing element is inserted into the axial bore, an outer diameter of the fixing element being greater than the smallest inner diameter of the bore. This enables the thrust plate to be easily mounted in a press fit even in the area around the middle of the shaft.