Abstract: A microactuator (30) is provided for positioning a read/write head relative to a mounting region of a head suspension assembly of a magnetic disk drive. The microactuator (30) comprises a substantially C-shaped member (32) having a first end (34) and a second end (38) defining an air gap (42) therebetween. In one embodiment the member (32) is a piezoelectric bimorph expander; in another embodiment the member is a ferromagnetic core. Under an applied electric or magnetic field as appropriate, the size of the air gap (42) may be altered and, because the member (32) is resilient, the original air gap may be restored on removing the applied field. The microactuator may be mounted on the load beam of the head suspension assembly, or between the load beam and head slider supporting the read/write head.