8 3/4 rear end confusion

You may still be able to fish that other side of the thrust button out with a magnet, I’ve done it before. The only place they really sit is right at the bottom of the housing, so if you can get a magnet in there you can usually get them.

Something like this…

Performance Tool W25934 Performance Tool Magnetic Retrievers | Summit Racing
exactly. exhaust all possibilities before releasing the gear oil!
*gags*