Yashica Electro 35 GSN - PoD

Just picked up an Electro 35 GSN. Mintish. Don't hear the "thud" when advancing film. Is this absolutely critical to look into / repair?

I get the thud on my one but if yous is cocking and winding on ok its good to go

I have 3. 2 have the thud. 1 does not and does not have accurate speeds as a result. Would recommend fitting a battery and testing the camera in low light (or cover the meter) to see if the shutter will stay open. Fairly sure it will need the POD replaced.

What does POD stand for? I thought in this case it meant problem of the day.

Pad of death its a very common failure point on these Yashica Electro

Its a very easy fix there's several fixes on the net for it

Here's an explanation over at the Rangefinder forum:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66696

If you want to do it properly you are in for some serious disassembly.
I've done it twice and it only worked once.
You have to disassemble the camera up to the point where you have to disconnect the lens board from the chassis and after properly replacing the pad you have to reconnect the lens with the rod on the body that cocks the shutter and just would not work on the second body.
The rod on the lens plate is pierced by a smaller rod which makes it sort of a cross, this has to be fitted into the "female" rod on the body in the right way. Worked perfectly on the black GN I had, did not work properly on the first black model "Professional" I once had.
It can be done but in my experience not an easy job.
I'd also test it first in low light and check if all of the electronic parts work, then see if you want to have it repaired, by yourself or a repairman.