OK.... I looked at the Shimano tech doc. Here's what I plan to do.
Removal of Cable- Unclamp the brake cable bolt so that the cable is free.
- Loosen barrel adjuster to allow cable to move freely
- Tilt the brifter forward
- Use a needle-nose plier and take the cable out.
Installing new cable- Insert new cable via the tilted brifter head.
- Keep inserting it that it will enter the housing?
- If all goes well, it will reach the brake bolt
- Home free!
Think this will work and avoid from having the remove the bar tape?