Today when I was driving home from work, I heard a rhythmic "Thump" noise from the right rear of my 2003 RX300. I thought I had a flat tire. I stopped the vehicle but didn't turn it off, got out, and the right rear tire seemed fine. So I continued driving and the thumping noise shifted to the right rear. I drove to a local auto store (Strauss) and pulled into the parking space. When I depressed the brake, I heard a LOUD noise similar to a metal plate dropping on the ground. I turned off the vehicle, checked all the tire pressures (they were fine) and looked under the vehicle. All seemed fine. I started the RX, shifted to reverse, backed up and hit the brake. Once again, the loud metal plate sound occurred. From then on, everything seemed fine. I find this strange. My Lexus dealer is 30 miles away and getting an appointment would be a two week wait when I'm going to be away. My feeling though is everything is either going to be fine, or something is going to have a major failure that will require a tow to Lexus. Anyone out there with technical knowlege have any idea what might have caused these noises? The driveline? ABS?
Bob