smc

The units digit of a multiple of $10$ will always be $0$. We add a $0$ whenever we multiply by $10$. So, removing the units digit is equal to dividing by $10$. Let the smaller number (the one we get after removing the units digit) be $a$. This means the bigger number would be $10a$. We know the sum is $10a+a=11a$ so $11a=17402$. So $a=1582$. The difference is $10a-a=9a$. So, the answer is $9(1582)=\boxed{14,238}$.