Serpent 966 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
& REFERENCE GUIDE

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The Serpent 966 is the next evolution of
Serpent’s hugely-successful 960 lineage,
combining ultimate performance into a single
package. The Serpent 966 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 966 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 966
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 966. 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.
EXPLODED VIEWS AND PARTS LIST
The exploded views and parts lists for the
Serpent 966 are included in the back of this
manual. 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 966 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.
FRONT ASSEMBLY 4
REAR ASSEMBLY 9
RADIO PLATE ASSEMBLY 15
GEARBOX ASSEMBLY 22
CENTAX ASSEMBLY 24
FINAL ASSEMBLY 27
REFERENCE GUIDE 32
CONTENTS

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Length after assembly
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.
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
The printed instruction manual included with
your Serpent 966 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 966 is
accessible from the Serpent 966 product
page which can be found on Serpent.com
and can be accessed by simply typing
serpent.com/903009 into your web
browsers address bar.
From the Serpent 966 product page you will
find the very latest information about your
Serpent 966: 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 One-way Lube (OW). (Items not
included.)
OW
Step number; the order in which you should
assemble the indicated parts
USING THE MANUAL
SERPENT.COM
1

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Change the position of BOTH
eccentric hubs to adjust front belt
tension. Both hubs should have
the same position.
Tighter
Default
Looser
Front
1
1
31
2
2
A
1
Bag
1
A
2
1
1
1
M4x10
M4x10
M4x10
M4x10
M4x10
M4x10
FRONT ASSEMBLY
OW
OW

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Page
5Completed assembly
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1
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
2
2
3
Insert setting - hole mounted to outside
A
3
A
4
Bag
2
M4x12
M4x12
M4x12
M4x12
A
5
M4x8
M4x8
M4x8
M4x8
M4x4
M4x4
7mm
7mm
5mm

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0.5mm
1
23
4
5
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
A
6
Bag
3
A
7
Bag
4
M3x6
M3x6
M4x10
M3x16
M4x6
M4x6
M3x12
M3x8
1
5
2
3
4
6
6

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TOP
BOTTOM
3
1
2
4
2.4mm
1.5mm
4mm
4mm
2mm
1mm
Spacer Placement
A
8
A
9
Bag
5
A
10
M3x4
M5x6
M5x6
1
7
2
2
4
3
5
6
98
10
M3x6
M3x3
Note Orientation of eccenter

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Assemble L & R steering rods:
87.5mm
A
11
A
12
2
2
1
1
M3x6
M3x6
M4x8
M4x8
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
3

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B
1
Bag
6
B
2
B
3
M3x10
M3x10
M3x10
M3x10
M3x8
M3x8
M3x8
M3x8
M3x8
M3x8
M4x10
M3x6
M3x6
2
1
1
2
3 4
5 5
Insert setting - hole mounted to top
REAR ASSEMBLY

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41.8mm
B
4
Bag
7
B
5
B
6
2
13
3
4
4
1
2
1
3
2
4
M3x6
M3x6
M3x6
M3x6
M3x6
M3x6
M3x10
M3x10
M3x10
M3x10
M4x4
4
Looser Tighter

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Assemble both rear hubs
using the indicated steps.
5.7mm
Front
6
5.0mm
B
7
Bag
8
B
8
B
9
2
4
1
65
3
1
3
2
4
4
M3x4
M3x10
M3x10
M3x10
M3x10
M3x6
2
1

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12
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Default Rear Body Mount
Mounting Position
3
B
10
B
11
Bag
9
3
1
2
2
4
4
2
1
3
M3x16
M3x16
2mm
2mm
2mm
2mm

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B
12
B
13
B
14
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
3
M3x16
M3x16
M3x10
M3x10 M3x10
M3x10
M5x6
M2.5x12

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B
15
B
16
2
1
5
3
4
5
3
2
2
1
M4x4
M4x4
M3x3
M3x3
Assemble L & R linkages
50mm
1

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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.
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
2
C
1
Bag
10
C
2
M3x6
M3x16
M3x16
M3x10
M3x16
M3x16
RADIO PLATE ASSEMBLY

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Securely attach receiver
to mounting plate.
RACING TIP: To protect the receiver against
fuel and moisture, seal the wired receiver
into a rubber balloon before mounting it.
OPTION 1: Laydown Throttle Servo
1
3
4
2
3
2
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
1
4
4
2
31
C
3
C
4
M3x10
M3x10
M3x6
M3x6
M3x10
M3x10

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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.
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
C
5
C
6
M3x16
M3x16
M3x12
M3x12

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Servo Saver
Steering
Linkage
2
C
7
Bag
11
C
8
1
M4x10
2
M4x10
M4x10
M4x10
M4x10
M4x10
M4x10
M4x10
1
3
4

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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
C
9
C
10
Bag
12
1
M4x4
M4x4
2
2
1

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Note the lower shock mount
holes used.
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
C
11
C
12
1
M3x6
3
4
2
2
M3x6
2
Pink Spring
Front