1990 F350 regular cab manual hubs

Prob. #1: Broke one of the parking brake cables that is (was) connected to the little device under the driver side door and runs to the rear tires. Cable snapped in half. Wheels are not locked up. How much of a pain in the *** would it be too replace this cable myself? I looked at a parts suppliers website and the cable is not pricey, however I have heard that getting the drums off and getting everything torn apart can be a nightmare. Any write-ups out there??

Prob.#2: I put the truck into 4wheel drive today, and a vibrating sound came from the front end when the 4wd was engaged. Really noticeable above 15 mph. Bad u-joint? More serious??

Thanks for the help!!

 

Replacing the E brake cable is not that bad of a job.
I have used E brake cables from every supplier out there, usually went though at least one a year.
The last time I replaced them, Ford was the only place that had them in stock.
The cables were 3 dollars more each from Ford.
The Ford cables have been on my truck for four years so far and still work fine.
Ford cables only for me from now on.

The vibration in the front is probably a bad U joint, most likely in the drive shaft.

 

Cool, thanks Dave!