I found that a 'brake tool' I had worked fine (though it did go 'sprong'!).
The tool is one of those thingys that looks sort of like an awl but twisted into about a right angle.
Also be very careful not to drop those bearings on a cement floor, you don't want to mark them!
I have just did my axles though not put them on yet (waiting for diff side seals).
I used a fifty ton press to push off the part on the shaft. For putting it on (AND boy you make want to be certain you have everything else on that you want on, like the tin can part, and the other boot, before you put the spider? part back on) I put the axle in the freezer over night, and the other part in the oven for an hour, then with the axle in a vise, I drove it on using a small sledge and a 30 mm socket for a spacer. I modified a vise grip to fit the socket so I could easily hold the socket and not burn myself. Went on with 3 to 5 medium one handed hits.
Good luck,
Chuck

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Thanx,
Alberta Luthier
1983 300CD ('Stinky')155k miles, 2.47 diff, EGR removed, AAZ injectors with 265 nozzles from Sean,and vogtland lowering springs.
1984 300SD ('Old Blue')150k Klicks from Japan originally, came with rear head rests, no sunroof and never had an EGR