Chrysler Repair: 88 chrysler labaron, outer tie rods, jim mullins

Question
I have a 88 chrysler labaron 2.2l non turbo,4 door sadan, it has power rack and pinon steering,my inner and outer tie rods need to be replaced, i went to auto zone to buy them,they ask me if it was a trw or a saginaw steering system, how do i go about find out what steering system i have. thanks  jim mullins

Answer
Hi Jim
I have an '85 manual that shows the two types. While they are very similar in appearance, the surface of the tube/housing assembly of the Saginaw is more complicated than that of the TRW. If you examine the area between the two pressure line fittings, the TRW is totally smooth, while the Saginaw appears to have one or two circumferencial groves between those two fittings. Similarly the surface of that same housing in the area between the steering shaft input and the nearest pressure fitting is very plain in the TRW, while in the Saginaw it appears to have a groove(or 2 grooves) runnings axially along its surface. I hope this helps. If not, I could xerox copy and mail you the pictures, but that is a bit slower than you may have need for.
Roland