Serpent Model Racing Cars BV 960 User 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
23
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
15
M4x12mm
M4x12mm
M4x16mm
Learn about roll
center adjustment
Set rear downstops

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STEP 2.5
M4x4mm
STEP 2.6 BAG 8
2.5x22mm
STEP 2.7
Note orientation of front and
rear inserts. Ensure BOTH
inserts have same position.
Press spring into end of rear
axle until it snaps into place.
Assemble both rear hubs
using the indicated steps.
12x18mm
5.7mm
Front
4
5
1
3
1
1
4
2
5
5
1
2
M4x20mm
2
5.0mm
41.8mm
3
Set rear track width,
camber and toe

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STEP 2.8
M3x3mm
STEP 2.9
STEP 2.10
M3x6mm
BAG 9
Slide pivot shafts through ball-
bearings one at a time. Center
the anti-roll bar assembly before
securing in place with collars.
Assemble L & R linkages
50mm
M3x6mm
M4x4mm
5x8mm
1
2
3
5
5
1
1
4
2
2
3
3
4
3
2
2
1
1
4
M3x10mm
M3x10mm
RH M3x10mm
CS M3x10mm
RH M3x6mm CS M3x6mm
Set rear anti-roll bar

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STEP 2.11
2mm
Completed assembly
M3x10mm
Default Rear Body Mount
Mounting Position
3
1
1
5
3
5
2
4
4
M3x16mm
M3x10mm
M3x10mm
M3x16mm

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STEP 3.1 BAG 10
M3x6mm
STEP 3.2
M3x10mm
3.0 RADIO PLATE ASSEMBLY
Note the orientation of the
servo mounting screw blocks.
Reverse the default orientation
to mount a smaller servo.
OPTION 1: Laydown Throttle Servo
Use the following servo arms
with these brands of servos.
23 - Sanwa / KO / JR
24 - Hitec
25 - Futaba
THROTTLE SERVO
Servo output shaft must be
towards REAR of the car.
M3x16mm
M4x10mm
M3x16mm
STEERING SERVO
Servo output shaft must be
towards FRONT of the car.
Steering Linkage
45.5mm
Note the orientation of the
servo mounting screw blocks.
Reverse the default orientation
to mount a smaller servo.
3
2
2
1
4
6
5
1
2
1
2
M3x6mm
M3x16mm
M3x16mm
M3x16mm
M3x10mm

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STEP 3.3
M3x6mm
STEP 3.4
Securely attach receiver
to mounting plate.
Use the following servo arms
with these brands of servos.
23 - Sanwa / KO / JR
24 - Hitec
25 - Futaba
Throttle Linkage
36mm
OPTION 1: Laydown Throttle Servo
RACING TIP: To protect the receiver against
fuel and moisture, seal the wired receiver
into a rubber balloon before mounting it.
M3x10mm
M3x12mm
OPTION 1: Laydown Throttle Servo
1
4
4
2
3
1
1
3
4
2
3
2
M3x6mm
M3x6mm
M3x10mm
M3x10mm

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STEP 3.5
M3x12mm
STEP 3.6 BAG 11
M3x10mm
Securely attach receiver to mounting plate.
OPTION 2: Upright Throttle Servo
RACING TIP: To protect the receiver against
fuel and moisture, seal the wired receiver
into a rubber balloon before mounting it.
M3x16mm
M3x3mm
FUEL CAP FITTING PLACEMENT
CW tracks: Fitting on RIGHT side.
CCW tracks: Fitting on LEFT side.
1
1
2
3
2
5
5
1
4
3
2
3
1
M3x12mm
M3x16mm
M3x16mm

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STEP 4.2
STEP 4.1
M4x10mm
M4x10mm
4.0 RADIO PLATE MOUNTING
Servo Saver
Steering
Linkage
M4x12mm
1
2
2
2
3
1
3
M4x10mm
M4x10mm
M4x12mm
M4x12mm

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STEP 4.3
M4x4mm
STEP 4.4 BAG 12
Unscrew the bottom half of
the pre-assembled shock
absorbers.
FILLING
Fill the shock body with the supplied
shock absorber oil.
BLEEDING
Let the oil settle and allow the air to
escape. Slowly move the piston up
and down to release any trapped air
bubbles. Repeat as necessary until no
bubbles appear.
2
1
2
1
2

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STEP 4.6
Note the lower shock mount
holes used.
STEP 4.5
With the shock body lled with
oil, slowly screw the bottom half
of the pre-assembled shock back
onto the shock body.
IMPORTANT! Do not cross
thread!
Oil will overow through the
built-in bleed channel in the
threads.
Front shock
68mm
Rear shock
73mm
Learn about shock
damping
Learn about shock
adjustment (damping,
springs, preload)
Set rear shock position
2
1
4
4
2
3
Use Long springs

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STEP 4.7
STEP 4.8
M3.5x13mm
STEP 4.9
M4x10mm
Note the upper shock mount
holes used.
M4x10mm
M4
M4x16mm
Learn about shock
adjustment (damping,
springs, preload)
Set front shock position
1
2
4
4
1
2
3
3
2
3
3
1
3
3
2
M4x16mm
M4x16mm
M4x10mm
M4x10mm
Use Short springs