Les,

If you are talking about the 2 narrow dark strips (there are 6 total around the fairing, 3 on the inside and 3 on the outside) on the leg they are stainless steel wear strips to keep the fairing and pant from wearing on each other. There are not any relief slots, just relief cut outs to allow the secondary struts to attach, the inner strut is bolted to the upper main strut and only pivots at that point (and at the mid point on the fuselage). The main strut has an oleo in it that is splined internally to keep the wheel from twisting. The rear strut is also attached to the upper main strut and fuselage and only pivots as well. I think I know, I took the pictures of NC 14081 and have talked with the mechanics and other members of the American Waco Club that are restoring their Waco's.

P1 - Close up of the inside area
P2 - Close up of the outside
P3 - Main Struts from a YKS (right main on top, left main on bottom)
P4 - Attachment to YKS, slightly different arrangement but same principle, secondary struts are solid and only pivot at the attachment point.