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Organization and Basis of Presentation Buydown Program (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009 | Dec. 31, 2008
Buydown Program [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Buydown program expense with no future benefit |  |  | $ 22.5 | $ 51.9
lump-sum buydown program payment | 19.7 |  |  |
Buydown program prepaid | 2.3 |  |  |
Buydown program expense | 15.0 | 15.6 | 21.2 |
Accelerated Buydown Program payments |  | $ 0.7 | $ 49.6 |

X
- Definition Represents cash paid to certain eligible associates who elected to accelerate their buydown program lump-sum payments and terminate employment with AAM, as a result of being laid off for a certain amount of time + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axl_AcceleratedBuydownProgramPayments
Namespace Prefix: | axl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents expense recognized associated with amortization of prepaid buydown program payments made to eligible associates in connection with, among other things, a decrease in base wages. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axl_BuydownProgramExpense
Namespace Prefix: | axl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the expense recognized as part of our buydown program related to payments made to eligible associates represented by the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America that will not result in a future benefit to AAM, as we expect them to be permanently idled. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axl_BuydownProgramExpenseWithNoFutureBenefit
Namespace Prefix: | axl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | axl_BuydownProgramLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | axl_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the prepaid balance remaining that relates to buydown program payments that have been paid to eligible associates that we estimate will provide a benefit to the Company through February 2012. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axl_BuydownProgramPrepaid
Namespace Prefix: | axl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the third and final lump-sum payment made to eligible associates in exchange for, among other things, a base wage decrease as part of our 2008 negotiations with the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axl_LumpSumBuydownProgramPayment
Namespace Prefix: | axl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration