Feels like the steering has sticking spots and also no longer returns to center

Hi,

This sounds like a pump issue. I doubt it has to do with tires unless they adjusted the alignment when they put the new tires on. If they adjusted your caster then your steering could get harder and no longer return to center.

However, the sticking spots is usually a pump. Have you checked your fluid level? Low fluid can cause air pockets in the lines which will cause this feeling of sticking.

You may have two issues but hopefully you will just find low fluid which can explain most of this.

Let me know and we can try to figure something else out based on that information.

You found it. Radial tires have softer side walls and will amplify issues in the suspension. Bias ply tires have very stiff sidewalls due to the plies that run from sidewall to sidewall. This explains all the issues you described above. Once you fix the slop in the suspension you should be good to go.

Thanks for the information. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks again.