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Organization and Basis of Presentation Revenue Recognition (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2009
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Deferred revenue, current | $ 22,100,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent | $ 17,000,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent |  |
Deferred revenue, noncurrent | 94,200,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueNoncurrent | 76,400,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueNoncurrent |  |
Increase installed capacity and adjust product mix [Member] |  |  |  |
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Deferred Revenue, Additions | 32,800,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueAdditions / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_IncreaseinstalledcapacityandadjustproductmixMember |  |  |
Deferred revenue, current | 6,900,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_IncreaseinstalledcapacityandadjustproductmixMember |  |  |
Deferred revenue, noncurrent | 20,500,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueNoncurrent / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_IncreaseinstalledcapacityandadjustproductmixMember |  |  |
Deferred revenue, revenue recognized | 5,400,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_IncreaseinstalledcapacityandadjustproductmixMember |  |  |
Delay of a major program |  |  |  |
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Deferred Revenue, Additions | 9,300,000.0 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueAdditions / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_DelayofamajorprogramMember |  |  |
Deferred revenue | 8,800,000.0 us-gaap_DeferredRevenue / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_DelayofamajorprogramMember |  |  |
Deferred revenue, current | 1,100,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_DelayofamajorprogramMember |  |  |
Deferred revenue, noncurrent | 7,700,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueNoncurrent / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_DelayofamajorprogramMember |  |  |
Deferred revenue, revenue recognized | 500,000.0 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_DelayofamajorprogramMember |  |  |
2009 GM Agreement [Member] |  |  |  |
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items] |  |  |  |
2009 GM agreement, cash received |  |  |  | 110,000,000 axl_A2009GmAgreementCashReceived / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_A2009GmAgreementMember
2009 GM agreement, deferred revenue recognized |  |  |  | 79,700,000 axl_A2009GmAgreementDeferredRevenueRecognized / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_A2009GmAgreementMember
Deferred revenue | 37,500,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenue / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_A2009GmAgreementMember |  |  |
Deferred revenue, current | 8,000,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_A2009GmAgreementMember |  |  |
Deferred revenue, noncurrent | 29,500,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueNoncurrent / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_A2009GmAgreementMember |  |  |
Deferred revenue, revenue recognized | 8,000,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_A2009GmAgreementMember | 8,000,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_A2009GmAgreementMember | 8,000,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_A2009GmAgreementMember |
Miscellaneous Deferred Revenue [Member] |  |  |  |
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Deferred revenue, revenue recognized | $ 7,500,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_MiscellaneousDeferredRevenueMember | $ 10,500,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_MiscellaneousDeferredRevenueMember | $ 13,100,000 us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized / us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis = axl_MiscellaneousDeferredRevenueMember |

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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=27012821&loc=d3e214044-122780 + Details
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- Definition Amount of deferred revenue recognized for transactions arising during the current reporting period. Deferred revenue is a liability as of the balance sheet date 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 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=27012821&loc=d3e214044-122780 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section A + 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 605 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012821&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=28358313&loc=d3e6935-107765 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section A + 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=27012821&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=28358313&loc=d3e6935-107765 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section A + Details
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