This is a common problem with older Komets, at least those that have
been wheeled across the U.S. for many tens of thousands of miles (mine
was a 1978 that failed after 13 years). Symptoms and repair are as
noted. Early warning is the hump in the floor that causes the wing to
wobble as it's pulled out of the trailer and the spar dolly rides up
over the bump. I was able to gain access from above/below for the
welding by drilling out relatively few pop rivets and bending/propping
up a section of the wooden floor.

This is a different problem than the one of the rubber torsion spring
failing and allowing the trailer to settle on the axle a few inches,
although several of the symptoms are the same (i.e., less axle/longeron
and tire/fender clearance).

I've never heard of it happening on a Cobra trailer, leading me to
wonder if it's really related to hardening of the rubbber or just
failure of welded steel joints. Cobras I've seen are all aluminum; I
don't know if early ones were steel tube.

Now is also a good time to check the welded attachment of the tube that
retains the trailer tongue. The front attach point on mine failed and
the tongue pivoted on the rear attachment, allowing the front of the
trailer to sink down until it came to rest on the brake actuating rod,
applying the brakes. Fortunately neither the brake shoes nor the
bearings were destroyed, although the smoke pouring off the wheels was
pretty impressive. That smoke was the only real trouble indicator since
the trailer continued to track very nicely (although if I'd been real
observant, I might have noticed in the rearview mirror that it was a
few inches lower in front). Note that the tongue itself can be in
excellent shape even when the mounting tube is failing. You have to go
inside the trailer and look under the forward mounting attachment to
inspect it.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"