OK, got the accumulator off using a smaller adjustable wrench than before using the new info that it was a 22 mm fitting on the old one rather than the 27mm on the new one. The strap wrench that I bought gave up the ghost pretty quickly so it's going back. Great idea, lousy execution.

Clutch effort is reduced with the new accumulator and the car does shift easier. I don't understand how/why changing the accumulator should result in smoother shifting but there you go.

 

My clutch made all sorts of creaks and groans when the accumulator went bad. Revving the engine up made it a bit easier. I guess there's a clue in the name - accumulator!