5MT front differential lash adjustment

So, I just swapped out my front diff and put my case back together using the FSM (I got the front bearings seated on their pins, too), I adjusted the retainers for the hypoid gear (ring and pinion lash) per the FSM, also. Did the whole process about 5 times because I haven't done it, and wanted to get a consistant "reading"

The issues is, after the lash and preload are set, when I turn the bottom/pinnion shaft, at a certain part (same part of the rotation everytime) it gets slightly harder to move....easier for like 270 degrees of rotation, then harder again. Repeat consitantly. Now, this is just resitance/force to rotate the shaft...it does not bind or click or stagger, it's very fluid and smooth.

What's also strange to me is that when it is easier to turn, there isn't much lash, but when it gets a little harder, there is a bit more lash.

I might just be being paranoid and it's good enough, or there is an actual issue here. I just don't see how the lash can change based on ring gear/pinion rotation. The ring is installed all the way on the diff, and I didn't change anything on the pinion shaft.

Oh, my retainers ended up being only about 4-5 notches each side away from the old settings with the old diff (one side tighter, one looser).