So, did you perform any headset/stem work yourself "since January" or not? It is not hard to imagine someone (like, say, you) to loosen the stem and the top cap, accidentally let the fork slide out slightly, allow bottom end bearings drop out of their normal places on the race (especially after the service guys added a few) and then retighten the whole thing without paying attention to gap at the bottom. Everything will be tight. But incorrect, nevertheless.