What kind of wheel were you using FFB settings?
I know my wheel snaps back very nicely all I have to do is release some grip as I exit the corner and it comes back toward center. I did notice that with the DFGT that if the FFB was not all the way up on some corners it would not return fast enough but I do not remember having that issue with the Fanatec wheel and even with the dfgt it was only a factor on a couple of tracks.
As for wheel lock, The fanatec wheels have that on the wheel and you can adjust it as you please.
Shift II on the other hand was likely the worst game I have ever played with a wheel. Or at least the 360 version was. FFB was absolutely horrible on that game.