Hi, Monte
How many wires on your stepper motors, 4, 5, 6, or 8.
The sound your stepper is making sounds like one with one coil backwards
4 wire hook up without much problem 1 coil A, 1 coil B, Changing ether a or b wires around just change direction.
If it's 4 wire stepper disregard following.
5 wire steppers won't work bi-poler.
6 wire motors will work full coil ct not used or 1/2 coils only, ct and 1/2 half of coil for A, B, if you get one 1/2 coil wrong side of Center tap, It will sound funny.
8 wire motors, If you get a coil backwards, It will sound funny.
Mark the end of your stepper and Single step in one dir, See if it's back stepping on one of the step's.
Hope this Helps, Chip