Serpent Model Racing Cars BV 960 Instruction Manual

1/8TH SCALE 4WD COMPETITION CAR

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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The Serpent 960 is the next evolution of Serpent’s
hugely-successful 950 lineage, combining ultimate
performance into a single package. The Serpent 960
was designed to be a world champion, while still being
easy to use, assemble, and set up. You are now part of
the worldwide network of Serpent drivers, which gives
you superior technical support and access to many
benefits that only Serpent drivers can enjoy.

The Serpent 960 offers many of the same specifications
and features that made the Serpent 950/950R into
top-competition racecars. Continuously pushing the
performance envelope, Serpent’s engineers have added
many new and innovative features that can help take
your Serpent 960 into the winner’s circle: stronger
reinforced components, easier roll-centre adjustment,
redesigned braking system, improved rear suspension
design, adjustable rear anti-roll bar, optional throttle
servo positioning (laydown or upright), new improved
shock absorbers, and new receiver pack configuration.

INSTRUCTIONS

Serpent’s long tradition of excellence extends to their
instruction manuals, and this instruction manual is no
exception. The easy-to-follow layout is richly illustrated
with 3D-rendered full-color images to make your
building experience quick and easy. Following the
instructions will result in a well-built, high-performance
racecar that will soon be able to unleash its full potential
at the racetrack.

This instruction manual has been divided into sections
that will logically lead you through the assembly process
of your Serpent 960. Follow the assembly steps in the
order presented to ensure that no problems occur
during assembly. Each step indicates all the fasteners
and small parts used. Bag numbers identify the kit
bag(s) that contains the appropriate parts.

SETUP

In certain assembly steps you need to make basic
adjustments, which will give you a good initial setup
for your Serpent 960. Fine-tuning the initial setup is an
essential part of building a high-performance racecar
like your Serpent 960. The separate Serpent 960 Setup
Book is an excellent resource for making adjustments
on your Serpent 960 and understanding the concepts
behind those adjustments.

EXPLODED VIEWS AND PARTS LIST

The exploded views and parts lists for the Serpent 960
are contained in a separate Serpent 960 Reference
Guide. The exploded views show all the parts of a
particular assembly step along with the Serpent part
number. The parts lists indicate the part number and
name of each part for easy reference when ordering.

SAFETY

Included with your Serpent 960 kit is a document
entitled “Read This First” that covers safety precautions
for the assembly and use of this product. We strongly
recommend that you thoroughly read and understand
that document, and follow all the precautions.

1.0 FRONT ASSEMBLY 4

2.0 REAR ASSEMBLY 9

3.0 RADIO PLATE ASSEMBLY 14

4.0 RADIO PLATE MOUNTING 17

5.0 GEARBOX ASSEMBLY 21

6.0 CENTAX ASSEMBLY 23

7.0 FINAL ASSEMBLY 26

INTRODUCTION

CONTENTS

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Length after assembly

USING THE MANUAL

Each step contains a variety of numbers, lines, and symbols. The numbers represent the order in which the
parts should be assembled. The lines and symbols are described below.

LINE / SYMBOL

DESCRIPTION

Assembly path of one item into another

Group of items (within lines) should be assembled first

Direction the item should be moved

Glue one item to another

Press/Insert one item into another

Connect one item to another

Gap between two items

SERPENT.COM

The printed instruction manual included with your
Serpent 960 kit is very complete, though due to
continuous product development, more up-to-date
information may be provided at our Serpent.com
website.

All information about the Serpent 960 is accessible
from the Serpent 960 product page which can be
found on Serpent.com and can be accessed by simply
typing serpent.com/903008 into your web browsers
address bar.

From the Serpent 960 product page you will find
the very latest information about your Serpent 960:
reports by team drivers and other experts, tips and
tricks, setups, image gallery and downloadable files
including the latest version of the instruction manual
will be made available as downloadable PDF-files.

Apply graphite grease (GR), threadlock (TL), CA glue (CA) or
Serpent’s One-way Lube (OW). (Items not included.)

OW

Step number; the order in which you should assemble the
indicated parts

1

Refer to Serpent 960 Setup Book - Section A: Basic Setup

Refer to Serpent 960 Setup Book - Section B: Advanced Setup

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STEP 1.1

BAG 1

STEP 1.2

12x21mm

1.0 FRONT ASSEMBLY

Change the position of BOTH
eccentric hubs to adjust front belt
tension. Both hubs should have
the same position.

Tighter

Default

Looser

Front

M4x10mm

1

2

2

1

1

3

1

2

2

Add spacers as required to reduce
endplay of outdrive shafts

OW

OW

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STEP 1.3

M4x12mm

STEP 1.4

BAG 2

M4x8mm

STEP 1.5

M4x4mm

Completed assembly

6x13mm

5mm

7mm

3

1

1

1

1

2

1

2

3

4

5

6

2

2

3

Learn about front roll
center adjustment

Insert setting - hole mounted to outside

5mm

7mm

7mm

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STEP 1.6

BAG 3

M3x8mm

STEP 1.7

BAG 4

M3x8mm

0.5mm

6x10mm

M4x6mm

M4x10mm

Set front anti-roll bar

1

2

3

4

5

3

1

2

5

6

4

5

3

M3x6mm

M3x12mm

M3x16mm

Press anti-roll bars into mounts far
enough so the bars do not bind when
the suspension is compressed

1

2

Servo Saver Ackermann insert position

M3x6mm

M3x8mm

M3x12mm

M3x16mm

M3x8mm

M4x6mm

M4x6mm

Set front downstops
and wheelbase

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STEP 1.8

M3x3mm

STEP 1.9

M3x3mm

STEP 1.10

Press spring into end of front
axle until it snaps into place.

M5x6mm

TOP

BOTTOM

3

1

2

4

5

1

1

2

3

4

6

M3x6mm

12x18mm

BAG 5

Block 1

Block 2

Block 1

2.4mm

1.5mm

4mm

4mm

2mm

1mm

Spacer Placement

M3x3mm

M5x6mm

M5x6mm

Set caster and
wheelbase

Set front track-width
and camber

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STEP 1.11

STEP 1.12

M3x6mm

Assemble L & R steering rods:

M4x8mm

1

2

2

87.5mm

M4x8mm

M4x8mm

M3x6mm

1

M3x6mm

Set front toe

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STEP 2.1

BAG 6

M3x6mm

STEP 2.2

M2.5x12mm

2.0 REAR ASSEMBLY

2.5x20mm

M5x6mm

6x13mm

Use the supplied 2 sided tape
to attach brake pads to plates

6x10mm

M4x12mm

Left Block Right Block

Note orientation of front
inserts. Ensure BOTH inserts
have the same position.

1

1

5

2

2

6

3

4

5

1

1

1

3

2

4

6

5

7

6x15mm

Learn about roll
center adjustment

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STEP 2.3

BAG 7

M4x8mm

STEP 2.4

M3x6mm

Change the position of BOTH
eccentric hubs to adjust rear belt
tension. Both hubs should have the
same position.

Looser

Default

Tighter

Note orientation of rear inserts.
Ensure

BOTH inserts have the
same position, and that they
match the positions of the front
inserts (see step 2.2)

Front

M4x16mm

12x21mm

M4x12mm

M4x10mm

Assemble both rear lower arms
using the indicated steps.

M4x16mm

1

2

3

3

4

4

5

6

7

4

3

2

1

5

M4x12mm

M4x12mm

M4x16mm

Learn about roll
center adjustment

Set rear downstops