The only time i've seen a cyclic not move when you let it go in an R22 was the one which had its blade almost split in half about 10 flying hours later.
The main rotor teeter friction was very obviously too high, you couldn't tilt the head when pushing it from below.
It had a very odd vibration in flight and when you lowered the lever in flight the cyclic would come back at you.
The Crack was a scary sight, I have some photos somewhere I'll see if I can find them.
GS