I have a 2000 Dodge Durango 4x4 (I always like a 2nd set of eyes to inspect it) so during an oil change they (dealership) said my left lower tie rod needs replacing. I only see left and right. They wont clarify and I need assistance. Advice and tips?

there's a inner and outter tie rod on either side, no lower.
there is a upper and lower ball joint on either side.
i work for a chrysler dealer and we do a ton of both,"ball joints and tie rods", so i donn't witch one but i'm sure it does need some thing.
chrysler, even knowing they will not say it, has a problem with their frontend componets.
last firday i replaced both outter tie rods on a 2010 ram with 9000 miles on it, sad.
not sure what not clarify means, but tell them to show you what's loose.
we get 1.3 hour to replace the outter tie rod incl. the alignment, and 1.8 hour to replace lower ball joint and it will not need alignment after replacing it.
worse case, if you donn't like what they are telling you or price, take it midas or monroe, ect...
let us know either way how you make out.

Thank you for the insight there. I see what youre saying regarding the inner and outer, that makes sense to me.

I was limited regarding words for my question so i abbreviated the comment about the fact that they wouldnt clarify whether they meant inner or outer instead of lower left. The just kept saying lower left lower left. I asked them if thy were talking about ball joints and he then started to say "I said...". I think he was a embarrassed by my question and just got defensive about it.

Anyway, I may just replace both tie rods since I just got paid. Would you suggest i do both sides or will one be okay?

i'd say do them both, will save you another alignment in the long run.
like i said, we do about 50-50 on tie rods and ball joints.
keep an eye on the edges of the tires after the alignment, the toe adjustment that goes with replacing tie rods is the adjustment that wears tires quick, if not set right.
let us know how it comes out.
ps make sure they put the est. cost on the same repair bill, that way your paying for what they diag. and repaired.

Have the ball joints checked (at a shop which will inspect it for free---call around)before replacing the tie-rods, that way if they need replacing you can do everything at once.

how did you make out with it?

hey guys thank you for the advice. I have decided to change both at the same time and I am saving up the cash to replace both the ball joints and the tie rods at the same time. I simply dont enjoy doing something more than once. If Ive got it all apart why not replace it all. Its a pretty high mileage vehicle anyway.

Once I replace them I will update you. Thank you again

ok