Can I Remove Protective Grating/Shield on Master Cylinder

[aa040371]

As part of bleeding brakes/changing brake fluid I wanted to remove the whatever was in master cylinder/reservoir first. SoP is to (gently) use a baster or fluid pump, but my 2007/gen4 model appears to have a plastic grating/screen (not the filter) in the way, probably to keep larger debris out? Is there a way to remove this? I was worried about breaking/cracking it if it wasn't meant to come off.

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edit: not sure what is up with the tags automatically added by system and that I appear to be unable to clear...sorry. Please ignore.

 

[aa040371]

Just bumping once in case there's any input or clarification needed from me on this.

 

[rdruss]

I know what you're talking about, it prevents you from sucking the reservoir dry and refilling with clean fluid, I wanted to do same but didn't try and remove it, just bled a lot more fluid from each caliper and refilled.