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Organization and Basis of Presentation Revenue Recognition (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified |  |  | 12 Months Ended | 120 Months Ended |  | 12 Months Ended | 24 Months Ended | 45 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2011 2009 GM Agreement [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 2009 GM Agreement [Member] | Dec. 31, 2009 2009 GM Agreement [Member] | Sep. 30, 2019 2009 GM Agreement [Member] | Sep. 30, 2009 2009 GM Agreement [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 2008 GM Agreement [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 2008 GM Agreement [Member] | Dec. 31, 2009 2008 GM Agreement [Member] | Dec. 31, 2008 2008 GM Agreement [Member] | Dec. 31, 2009 2008 GM Agreement [Member] | Feb. 28, 2012 2008 GM Agreement [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Miscellaneous Deferred Revenue [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 Miscellaneous Deferred Revenue [Member] | Dec. 31, 2009 Miscellaneous Deferred Revenue [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2009 GM Agreement, Cash Received |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 110.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2009 GM Agreement, Deferred Revenue Recognized |  |  |  |  |  |  | 79.7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Deferred revenue |  |  | 61.4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Deferred revenue | 32.9 | 79.9 | 8.0 |  |  |  |  | 9.5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Deferred revenue | 88.2 | 116.0 | 53.4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized |  |  | 8.0 | 8.0 | 2.3 |  |  | 57.0 | 57.0 | 57.0 |  |  |  | 15.6 | 12.5 | 11.1
2008 GM Agreement, Cash Received in 2008 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 115.0 |  |  |  |  |
2008 GM Agreement, Cash Received in 2009 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 60.0 |  |  |  |  |  |
2008 GM Agreement, Total Deferred Revenue Recognized |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 213.7 |  |  |  |
2008 GM Agreement, Fair Value of Liability Assumed by GM for Postretirement Cost Sharing |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 38.7 |  |  |  |
2008 GM Agreement, Amortization Period of Deferred Revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 45 months |  |  |
2009 GM Agreement, Amortization Period of Deferred Revenue |  |  |  |  |  | 120 months |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Represents the period over which we will recognize into revenue the deferred revenue associated with the 2008 AAM-GM agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount of cash received from GM in 2008 associated with the 2008 AAM-GM agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount of cash received from GM in 2009 associated with the 2008 AAM-GM agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount of deferred revenue recognized associated with the 2008 AAM-GM agreement that related to the fair value of the liability assumed by GM for postretirement healthcare and life insurance coverage provided to UAW represented transitioned associates with earned credited service from AAM that have or will retire under plans operated by GM. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the total amount of deferred revenue recognized associated with the 2008 AAM-GM agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the period over which we are recognizing into revenue the deferred revenue associated with the 2009 Settlement and Commercial Agreement between AAM and GM. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the total cash received from GM associated with the 2009 Settlement and Commercial Agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the initial amount of deferred revenue recognized associated with the 2009 Settlement and Commercial Agreement with General Motors. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of deferred revenue as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue represents collections of cash or other assets related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section A Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 605 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1 Response) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6600647&loc=d3e214044-122780 + Details
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- Definition The carrying amount of consideration received or receivable as of the balance sheet date on potential earnings that were not recognized as revenue in conformity with GAAP, and which are expected to be recognized as such within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, including sales, license fees, and royalties, but excluding interest income. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6935-107765 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 7, 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section A Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 605 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6600647&loc=d3e214044-122780 + Details
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- Definition The noncurrent portion of deferred revenue amount as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue is a liability related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized, and is not expected to be recognized in the next twelve months. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 605 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6600647&loc=d3e214044-122780 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6935-107765 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 7, 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section A Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 48 -Paragraph 6 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition Amount of previously reported deferred or unearned revenue that was recognized as revenue during the period. Deferred revenue is a liability related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section A Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 605 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6600647&loc=d3e214044-122780 + Details
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