PIP, to clarify, a few threads up is Jonhelds response, he is exactly right about that thread. What to do and what not to do, it's good medicine.
Like Sogafarm said, this part is NLA, proceed with caution.
To elaborate on your specific questions:
#1. The part of the connection, the one that attaches TO the MAF itself, the one with the TWO screws, the female port, that whole part is soldered in 3 locations so if you REMOVE it to access the inside, you will pull off the solder parts. Picture below.
#2. There's a plastic piece that typically gets clogged, maybe someone can chime in on this one. Picture below.
My ASSUMPTION, our assumption at this point is that the solder parts on the circuit board, the 3 points, fail.
#3. The circuit board, well kind of, it looks like a strong circuit board and you have to look at it under a scope to see if it's faulty.
Let me keep experimenting and I'll let you know more....