That's a good point Brian. That part may be a spun copper strainer. It's marked part number "P700" and it has a directional arrow marked on the side. Parker also makes a check valve with this appearance and if the txv doesn't have the check valve function built it, one would be needed right here. I think it's a strainer to keep the txv happy.

That txv stays behind. I'll clean up the surface rust and give it a coat of protective epoxy. I changed the indoor txv and it made no difference to superheat.