I have a bad rattle at idle thanks to the lower heat-shield not being secured properly as I broke 2 of the bolts that holds it in place. Can I remove this and drive around without consequence or should I look for another solution.

 

You're either going to be drilling out the bolts that you broke or taking it off. I vote off. I haven't had heat shields up there in nearly ten years. None of them.

The only things that died were a turbo coolant line to the thermostat housing. And the inline oil filter AN fitting that attaches to the head. Both got brittle with age and heat. My radiator popped apart at the seams too. But I attribute that to it being old, and made of junky plastic pinched together with tabs.

Weight reduction time...

 

The heat shield is not needed. If you're that concerned about it, you can always heat wrap it.