So, I spoke with my nearest dealer here's the deal:
Hustler said if the mower is less than 90 days out of warranty, they will cover the part and labor. If it is more than 90 days out of warranty, then they would only supply the part and I have to pay labor.
My mower is definitely more than 90 days out of warranty (4 years old, but only 113 hours on it). Given the hourly rate for labor, as quoted by the dealer and his estimated time to perform the work, plus the cost of gas to take it over (it's not close by), return home, then go back to pick it up (not including my time), this saves me nothing.
I replied back to the Hustler guy that given the circumstances, I'd prefer they just send me the part as I am totally capable of doing the replacement myself (and will also give me the opportunity to replace the grade 5 bolts in the kit with grade 8). It's been 3 days and no reply back from Hustler.
The wife and I have had to, yet again, mow a lot of yard with a dang push mower.
If Hustler won't send me the part, then I'll buy it, fix the mower, then sell the damn thing and get another...and it won't be another Hustler. This is ridiculous. That part should have been a recall, no question. I mean, if Chevy or Ford has vehicles breaking transmission mounts and dropping them on the road, you can bet there'd be a recall with the fix at no charge...regardless of warranty status!