Hard drives that have failed due to spindle motor and bearing problems are not recoverable by many data recovery companies. The issue is not that the data on the hard drive is damaged, rather the problem is the lack of specialist equipment to correctly remove a seized / damaged motor assembly whilst maintaining the integrity of data on the platter surface.

GCubic have developed a hardware device that safely removes the motor assembly from hard disks, allowing the platters to then be transplanted to a donor drive.

Above: Side view of the rotor showing the fluid bearing surface

Above: The starter bearing - the engraved slots contain the fluid