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Derivatives Sales, Receivables and Postretirement Cost Sharing Asset by Major Customer (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
General Motors [Member] |  |  |
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items] |  |  |
Accounts and Other Receivables by Major Customer, General Motors | $ 234.7 | $ 45.5 |
Entity-wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage of Total Entity Revenues | 73.00% | 75.00% | 78.00%
Chrysler Group LLC [Member] |  |  |
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items] |  |  |
Accounts Receivable by Major Customer, Chrysler Group LLC | $ 29.1 | $ 27.3 |
Entity-wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage of Total Entity Revenues | 8.00% | 9.00% | 8.00%

X
- Definition Represents the aggregate amount of trade account receivables and other receivables due from General Motors as of the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the amount of trade account receivables due from Chrysler Group LLC as of the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | axl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Percentage of total entity revenues generated from a single external customer that accounts for 10 percent or more of an entity’s revenues. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | axl_EntityWideRevenueMajorCustomerPercentageOfTotalEntityRevenues
Namespace Prefix: | axl_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_EntityWideRevenueMajorCustomerLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration