Is this a thrust button and can it be removed?

I have to agree that the single row Green bearings are no fit for purpose. Modern bearings are dual row and much stronger. But fitting roller bearings in the limited space available in a old Mopar housing is problematic. My green bearings failed 300 miles from home (Bishop, CA when I lived in Long Beach, CA) and I had to listen to the grinding the whole way worrying about total failure. Luckily, I got home OK and replaced the Green bearing with a tapered roller that worked for 50 years and is still in the car.