ScratchyDom said:

I'm guessing that a brass drift will negate any chance of getting little metal chips into the bearings, which can only be a good thing!

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You guess correctly,Just get a screwdriver behind the washer to bend it forward so you can get the drift on.
Don't forget to back the inner hub nut off one flat after tightening or the bearing will get mullered in no time.

ScratchyDom said:

What's the best way of doing it then? I used a small chisel when I did mine, did the job but I wouldn't re-use 'em..!

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I use something with a flat surface of reasonable length (so the whole thing bends not just sections which can lead to ripping and distortion of the steel) like an angle grinder tool with a flat end to bend it over enough so that I can then get something flat onto the washer and then tap it down, it then folds over evenly and has no damage done to it. I dare say the mashed option will work just as well, but as noted above there is chance of little pieces of metal coming off and not to mention it just looks like it's been attacked.