2022 Stingray RS Truss Rod Issue

Bought this beauty from Sweetwater a few months ago. Went to do a string change the other day and noticed the neck had way too much relief. I went to adjust the truss rod and it was very hard to tighten and didn’t turn smoothly. As you would put pressure turning it would turn about a quarter and then go stiff again. I tried loosening and tightening back up but that didn’t help. So I started tightening the truss rod little by little. A quarter of a turn every few hours. By this point I have tightened the rod a good amount but when I went to check the relief again with a straight edge it barely changed. I tried with string tension and without. Also important to note that I do notice a slight change In the bow so the truss rod is doing something. Very odd. I know I have a warranty with Ernie Ball and Sweetwater but I’m trying to avoid sending it in at all costs.