A method and apparatus for aligning and securing a spindle shaft and actuator shaft in a low-density gas-filled hard disk drive and independent of the disk drive cover is provided. A capture plate is positioned above the memory disk(s) and is secured to the base plate. The spindle shaft and, optionally, the actuator shaft are secured between the base plate and capture plate. The capture plate may be configured to reduce vibration. This structure eliminates use of the cover to secure the spindle shaft and actuator shaft and, thereby, eliminates a potential pathway for low-density gas to escape. The capture plate may also be configured to reduce air turbulence created by the rotating disk and reduce track misregistration of the read/write element(s).