Belly Pan...

[TowDawg]

I have a knocking noise that just popped up and the dealer recently had the belly pan, driveshaft and rear end out of the car. It doesn't make any noise when I rev it without moving, but it does when the car in gear and driving. It honestly sounds like something knocking on the pan as the RPMs climb.
Anyway, I'm going to pull the pan off and inspect it tonight for any signs of something hitting. My question is, will it hurt anything to drive around a little without the pan in place. I assume it's there for aerodynamics and to protect the drivline componets from debri or bottoming out. I know it may sound stupid, but I just want to check because if I can't see anything I will leave it off and drive it to the dealership (about 35 miles). I figure it will save them time if they need to diagnose anything.

 

[dave6666]

It may have some structural significance too but under reasonable driving conditions you shouldn't be concerned with it.

 

[ViperGeorge]

Does the sound vary with car speed or engine speed? Does it make the sound in neutral at speed, with the clutch depressed? If it varies with car speed regardless of gear, I would check to see if there is a heat shield that is hitting a halfshaft or drive shaft. I had this problem. Tech found the that it was only a heat shield that had come dislodged and was hitting the drive shaft. Dodge used some kind of adhesive to hold the shields in place.

 

[TowDawg]

Does the sound vary with car speed or engine speed? Does it make the sound in neutral at speed, with the clutch depressed? If it varies with car speed regardless of gear, I would check to see if there is a heat shield that is hitting a halfshaft or drive shaft. I had this problem. Tech found the that it was only a heat shield that had come dislodged and was hitting the drive shaft. Dodge used some kind of adhesive to hold the shields in place.

That's what I'm betting on. You start to hear it around 3,000 and gets lounder as you rev higher. It only happens in gear with the clutch disengaged. If the drivetrain isn't spinning, there is no noise. It almost sounded like a valve or rocker knocking, but when I popped the hood and revved it without moving, it is completely normal

 

[TowDawg]

Can't see anything rubbing and the sound is still there. Off to the dealership Wed or Thurs.