i have the same thoughts about drum brakes. they suck and i hate workin on them. i'll be glad when they make the last one. im not talkin about old trucks with drums, just the "fleet" of daily drivers on the road. i wonder how many people have got cancer and died from breathing the brake shoe dust strired up when servicing one. i'll bet most or all of those cheap imported shoes u can buy at any parts store have asbestos in em. they are imported and thats not regulated for asbestos content, read the boxes they almost say they got asbestos in em. not legal to make them here, but "legal" to import them. how many shops have u seen using proper epa methods for drum brake service? anyway i'm not that down on todays batteries, except for the ocassional explosion when one gasses.