is there a difference

yes, there is a difference.

because |4 - 7| = 3 and (4 - 7) = -3, the solutions (of the two problems) will differ.

|4 - 7| - |8 - 2| = 3 - 6 = -3, while (4 - 7) - (8 - 2) = -3 - 6 = -9.

(notice that |8 - 2| = (8 - 2), since 8 - 2 is positive.)