The issue is that it looks like the trem wasn't set up right. Somehow the sleeve that the trem bar slips into and the threads that the bar screws down into became misaligned, and someone in the shop must have cranked the bar into it anyways. The thread section is bent on the trem arm and the metal is squished in above the threads on the arm. It screws in about 6 rotations, then there's suddenly a bunch of resistance. I immediately took it out when I felt that. I peered down into the teeny sleeve with a flashlight and fiber optic cable, and the threads are definitely not lined up with the sleeve. It also seems like the spring is a little too tight, so the plate pops sharp when the lock is disengaged, but I know how to fix that, I just don't know whether that'll affect the setup I paid a solid amount for.
Is this "user serviceable" (I'm a setup noob
)? Do I need to get a new trem unit and bar from Fender to fix the thread alignment? Really bummed because the guitar sounds so great with the new bridge and strings and I was so excited to have everything set up right. 
Thanks for your advice, everyone.
