Serpent 710 User manual

Instruction Manual

2
Congratulations on your newly acquired Serpent 710.
You have chosen the highest quality, ultimate-perform-
ance 200mm racecar that is easy to use, assemble,
and set up. As part of the worldwide team of Serpent
drivers, you will also get superior technical support.
Serpent has a tradition of excellence with instruction
manuals, and with the new Serpent 710 manual we
have yet again gone a step further. The new layout
has easy to follow step-by-step assembly instructions
and building tips, richly illustrated with 3D rendered
full-color images. 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.
Instructions
This instruction manual has nine sections that will lead
you through the assembly process of your Serpent
710. 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 are also shown to identify the kit
bag that contains the appropriate parts for the step.
When building your 710, do not empty the parts bags
as you will need to refer to the parts by bag number
several times during the various assembly stages.
Set-up
In certain assembly steps you need to make basic
adjustments, which will give you a good initial setup
for your Serpent 710. Note that fine-tuning the initial
setup is an essential part of building a high-perform-
ance racecar like your Serpent 710. The Set-Up Book
included in your Serpent 710 kit will help you to adjust
your car. It contains detailed information on making
basic settings, as well as in-depth information about
the effect of changing the settings. Be sure to follow
the procedures and be accurate with your adjustments
not only now, but every time you prepare the car for
practicing or racing. This is how the best drivers in the
world do it - simple, straight forward, and accurate!
Exploded views and parts list
The exploded views and parts lists for the Serpent
710 are contained in a separate Reference Guide.
The exploded views show all the parts of a particular
assembly step, together with the Serpent part number.
The parts lists at the end of the Reference Guide indi-
cate the part number and name of each part for easy
reference when re-ordering.
Safety precautions
Included with your Serpent 710 kit is a document enti-
tled “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.
Section Page
1.0 Front Assembly 4
2.0 Differential Assembly 9
3.0 Rear Assembly 11
4.0 Shock Assembly 16
5.0 Bodymount Assembly 19
6.0 Radio Plate Assembly 21
7.0 Gearbox Assembly 24
8.0 Centax Assembly 26
9.0 Final Assembly 29
Introduction
Contents
PERFORMANCE THROUGH EVOLUTION

3
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.
Gap between two items.
Apply graphite grease (GR), threadlock (TL), CA glue (CA) or Serpent’s
One-way Lube (OW). (items not included).
myTSN.com
The printed instruction manual included with your
Serpent 710 kit is very complete, though due to
continuous product development, more up-to-date
information is provided at our myTSN.com web
portal. This state-of-the-art R/C technology portal
is where Serpent racers from all over the world
meet and exchange their ideas, and share useful
information and experiences about their Serpent
cars.
All information about the Serpent 710 is acces-
sible from the Serpent 710 product page on
myTSN.com. You can access this page by going to
the Products section, then search for the ‘Serpent
710’ product name.
From the Serpent 710 product page you will find
the very latest information about your Serpent 710:
reports by team drivers and other experts, tips and
tricks, FAQ, forums, setups, image gallery, down-
loadable files, and even streaming video of the
Serpent 710 on how to further improve the car. The
latest version of the instruction manual (including
team and racer tips, and part lists and option lists)
will be made available as downloadable PDF-files
and online viewable pages under ‘i-Manual’.
So be sure to visit myTSN.com and the Serpent
710 page. There is a world of up-to-date informa-
tion about your Serpent 710 waiting for you, and it
is just a few mouse clicks away! If you are not yet
a member of myTSN, we strongly recommend that
you sign up immediately so you can experience and
enjoy an even wider range of services from Serpent
and other myTSN partners.
www.myTSN.com/Serpent710
OW
Connect one item to another.
Length after assembly.

4
Step 1.1 Bag 06,
16, B12
B12
3.5x9.5mm
E14
3x16mm
1.0 Front Assembly
Step 1.2
Step 1.3
3
2
4
1
1
3
5
2
2
5
4
4
3
Assemble both front lower arms
using the indicated steps.
2mm
IMPORTANT! Adjust both left
and right upstop setscrews
equally, otherwise the car may
become tweaked under braking.
H12
3x10mm
H9
3x4mm
H9
3x4mm
H11
3x8mm
Bag 02, 15
Bag 04
B12
B12
B12
B12
H9
H12
H11
E14
H9
H11
E14
H9

G11
3x8mm
5
Step 1.4
Step 1.5
Step 1.6
3
2
1
Assemble both front upper arms
using the indicated steps.
Default placement of front roll
center alu spacers
4mm
2mm
1mm
Caster Spacer Placement
<
>
L3
M3
E20
4x12mm
EF23
4x25
Bag 06, 17
H9
3x4mm
Bag 02, 15
G11
G11
G11
L3
L3
L3
EF23
EF23
E20
E20
H9
Dont tighten screws EF23. They
will be removed in step 6.7.
<

6
Step 1.7
Step 1.8
2
3
4
4
5
6
6
1
2
2
OW
OW
1
1
6
E11
3x8mm
E12
3x10mm
Bag E11,
E12
H11
3x8mm
Bag 11, 18
35T
E11
E11
H11
H11
E12
E12
It is possible to lock the front axle using
the option set #802252

7
E12
3x10mm
U13
12x18mm
E10
3x6mm
Step 1.9
Step 1.10
Step 1.11
Bag E10,
U, 19
3
1
1
2
42
1
1
5
3
Change the position of BOTH
eccentric hubs to adjust front
belt tension. Both hubs should
have the same position.
Assemble both steering blocks
using the indicated steps. Left
steering block shown.
Do not overtighten alu plugs. Pivotballs should
move freely without binding or excessive play.
Assemble both steering
blocks as shown.
IMPORTANT! Ensure the front suspension
moves up and down freely without binding.
17mm
16.5mm
Looser
Loose
Tighter
Default
Bag U, E12,
07, 13
H8
3x3mm
P1
2x10mm
U11
10x15mm
E12
E12
E12
E12
U13
U13
U11
P1
U11
H8
E10
Front Rear

8
B5
2.9x9.5mm
U6
6x13mm
B5
2.9x9.5mm
Step 1.12
Step 1.14
Bag U, 20
Bag 10
H16
4x4mm
R7
7mm
Step 1.13 Bag 12
2
1
1
2
1
4
5
3
1
2
2
22T
19T
U6
U6
B5
B5 B5
R7
R7
H16
H16
B5 B5
G10
G10
G10
3x6mm

9
2.0 Differential Assembly
Step 2.1
Step 2.2
Bag 11, 21
E18
4x8mm
Step 2.3 Bag U
U7
7x14mm
6mm
6.2mm
A
B
1
2
3
45T
U7
E18

F12
3x10mm
10
Step 2.4
Step 2.5
Step 2.6
H16
4x4mm
3
1
2
Differential Adjustment
Adjust the diff friction collar to adjust
the differential action. Tighten the
adjustment screw to increase the
spin-resistance of the differential;
loosen the adjustment screw to
reduce the spin-resistance of the dif-
ferential. The tighter the diff collar,
the more the differential resists the
difference in speed between the inner
and outer wheel. As a rule of thumb,
the more grip a track has, the tighter
the diff collar should be.
Use this screw to apply pre-load
to the differential. Tighten it so
that the diff pulley doesn’t slip
while holding both diff shafts but
still turns as freely as possible.
Tighten this locking setscrew to
lock your initial setting.
Bag 22
H16
F12

11
G22
4x20mm
F15
3x20mm
3.0 Rear Assembly
Q11
3x10mm
Step 3.1
Step 3.2
Bag 05, 08
Bag 23
E12
3x10mm
Step 3.3 Bag 07,
13, U
U13
12x18mm
2
1
2
1
3
1
1
2
Assemble both lower arms using
the indicated steps.
Press pins into chassis so they
are flush with bottom.
Default position of Dynamic Rear
Steering (DRS) spacer.
Press ball into end of arm
until it snaps into place.
Change the position of BOTH
eccentric hubs to adjust rear
belt tension. Both hubs should
have the same position.
<
Tighter
Default
Loose
Looser
G22
G22
Q11 Q11
F15
E12
E12
E12
E12
U13
U13 Front Rear

12
B8
2.9x19mm
E13
3x12mm
Step 3.4
Step 3.5
Step 3.6
Bag 08, 13
Bag 05
H9
3x4mm
1
2
3
2
3
5
4
4
1
5
1
2
Note the orientation of the inserts.
Ensure that all four inserts are the same.
Note the orientation of the
inserts.
Note the orientation of the two inserts.
Ensure that both inserts are the same,
and are oriented the same as the
matching inserts.
Bag 09,
15, 24
H12
3x10mm
B8
B8
H9
H9
H12
H12
E13
E13
Use the outer position

13
H9
3x4mm
B12
3.5x9.5mm
Step 3.7
Step 3.8
Bag 09, 15
Bag 03,
U, B12
P7
2.5x16mm
B12
3.5x9.5mm
Step 3.9
U6
6x13mm
1
2
326
1
1
2
5
4
Assemble both rear upper arms using
the indicated steps.
Roughen metal plates with
sandpaper before gluing.
Press pins into bulkhead until ends
are flush with outer edge.
R3
3mm
U6
6x13mm
H9
U6
R3
P7
B12
B12
B12
B12
B12
U6

14
H17
4x6mm
Step 3.10
Step 3.11
Step 3.12
Bag 12, 25
E11
3x8mm
3
1
2
4
5
4
1
2
3
Adjust ball end until it is ush
with end of swaybar.
48mm
1:1
R7
7mm
H16
4x4mm
Bag 14, 26
H8
3x3mm
22T
24T
R7
R7
H17
H16
E11
E11
E11
E11
H8

15
Step 3.13
Step 3.14
H8
3x3mm
P1
2x10mm
1
1
1
4
3
2
Assemble both rear hubs
using the indicated steps.
Do not overtighten alu plugs.
Pivotballs should move freely
without binding or excessive play.
Assemble both rear hubs
using the indicated steps.
IMPORTANT! Ensure the rear suspension moves up
and down freely without binding.
19mm
19.5mm
18.5mm
Front
Rear
Bag 01,
27, U
U11
10x15mm
U11
U11
P1
H8

16
Step 4.1 Bag 28
R1
1.9mm
N3
3x6mm
R2
2.3mm
Y17
12.1x1.6mm
4.0 Shock Assembly
Front shocks: short shock shaft and body
Rear shocks: long shock shaft and body
Remove plastic flashing for smooth
movement of pistons. Tab in upper piston
fits in notches in lower piston
R2
N3
4
R1
Y17
3
2
1
2
1
Step 4.2
Step 4.3
Lubricate shock shaft with shock oil
before inserting in shock body.

17
Y3
3x1.5mm
Fill the shock body with shock oil, with the piston at
the bottom.
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.
Use a shock rod gripping tool, or grip the shock rod
at top of exposed threads with side cutting pliers. Be
sure not to damage the shock rod.
Y3
Step 4.4
Step 4.5
Step 4.6
1
2
Lubricate O-ring with shock oil before
sliding onto shock shaft.
Hint: Pre-thread ball-
joint with M3 screw for
easy assembly

18
Front Shocks: short shocks and springs
Rear Shocks: long shocks and springs
Hardest
Full CW
Softest
Full CCW
Damping adjustment
Pull the shock shaft all the way out, turn
slightly to lock it in the shock body.
Adjust the shock damping by rotating
shock shaft CW or CCW to one of the
four positions. Each position can be felt by
a slight “click.”
IMPORTANT! Each pair of front and rear
shocks must have the same damping set-
ting.
Shock length adjustment
Check the length of the shocks in the
extended, fully locked position.
Front shocks: 67.5mm
Rear shocks: 76.5mm
Adjust shock length with the ball-
joint.
IMPORTANT! Each pair of front and
rear shocks must be the same length.
Line up
notch
Step 4.7
Step 4.8
1
2
2
3
2 Holes
3 Holes4 Holes
5 Holes
1
Press in pivotball from
side opposite notch in top
shock mount.

19
E11
3x8mm
5.0 Bodymount Assembly
E12
3x10mm
Step 5.1 Bag 14,
29, E11
E10
3x6mm
Step 5.2
1
1
2
2
3
1
2
Upper shock default mounting
position
Lower shock default mounting
position
E29
3x18mm
H12
3x10mm
H12
E11
E11
E12
E29
E12
E29
H12
E10
Bag E10

20
Step 5.3
Step 5.4
1
2
1
2
E10
3x6mm
E11
3x8mm
G12
3x10mm
Upper shock default mounting
position
Bag E11
Bag E10
G12
G12
E11
E10