To remove the studs effectively the flange needs to be backed up with something. I made a fixture with 3- pieces of 3/4 inch pipe welded to a plate in a 3 lug pattern. With solid backing the studs will come right out. Without solid backing you risk bending the flange or breaking the flange.

If you are working with the front hubs, they are cast iron and break very easy. The rear axle flanges are very hard and have a lot of spring to them. With out a back up you are asking for trouble.

A press is another way to remove the studs, but you still need the back up.

54 Chevy build pics.