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I dunno about papas and grandpas, I ain't that old....
but the outer tie rods on your car are the same.
The inners should be replaced with the same type. FCP Groton has a section on their "Steering" pages dedicated to describing the difference. The primary difference seems to be really whether the boot has a large grommet or not. I can't say for absolute certain that the inner end thread is the same- they look similar. I've replaced both types recently and they did look like the same thread. Didn't try screwing one in to the other's rack though.
The length looks to be the same, and should be, given that they need to follow the same arc. So it seems that it comes down to the boot style. IF you have the matching boots for your rack, you're all set. Again, haven't tried to fit one on the other rack, but the rack diameter looks the same.
Personally the ZF rods seem easier to deal with- you get a new locknut with them, and the boot slips over the old one. I replaced a CAM style one and had good boots- the nut has to come off for this to slide over, and it was FROZEN so badly I had to cut it off and go find a spare nut. With the ZF type, the big end on the boot allows it to slip right over the rubber grommet and nut.
Remember after replacing any tie rods, you need an alignment to set toe-in.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '86 244DL- 215K, 87 244DL- 230K, 88 744GLE- 198K, 91 244 180K
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