Canister on c1600 firewall

Hi all

I have a canister on the firewall of my c1600. Large hose comes from the perk and then into canister. From memory metal pipe that comes out of canister goes to brake booster. I figure it has something to do with brake vacuum. Figured perhaps the canister is a filter of some sort. Unclipped canister today to pull it apart for a look see. Couldn’t pull it apart. Hesitant to force it apart as I have a habit of doing in case I stuff it. So what is the canister for? Can anyone help? And can I just force it apart after I uncoupled it?

Thanks

Its a air cleaner or filter for the brake booster and as the engine pulls air from the booster it also stops dust getting in the engine......If you have vacuum trailer brakes,there will be a separate one for that.

Thanks again John. Wealth of knowledge.