A hydrodynamic bearing system, having a bearing sleeve and a shaft inserted into an inner cylindrical bore of the bearing sleeve. A bearing gap is formed between the shaft and the bearing sleeve, the bearing gap being filled with a lubricating oil. A shield encloses the bearing sleeve. The shield is secured within a recess formed at the top surface of the bearing sleeve at a position distanced from the bearing gap. The shield is pressed against a sharp edge of the recess by a metal ring placed into the recess.