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Employee Benefit Plans Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] |  |
GM postretirement cost sharing asset, current | $ 13.3 axl_GmPostretirementCostSharingAssetCurrent |
GM postretirement cost sharing asset, noncurrent | 274.5 axl_GmPostretirementCostSharingAssetNoncurrent | 242.0 axl_GmPostretirementCostSharingAssetNoncurrent
Total GM postretirement cost sharing asset | 287.8 axl_TotalGmPostretirementCostSharingAsset | 255.9 axl_TotalGmPostretirementCostSharingAsset
Pension Plan [Member] |  |
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] |  |
Noncurrent assets | 6.9 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 9.3 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Defined benefit pension plan liabilities, current | (3.0)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPensionPlanLiabilitiesCurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (2.3)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPensionPlanLiabilitiesCurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Defined benefit pension plan, liabilities, noncurrent | (99.0)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPensionPlanLiabilitiesNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (49.0)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPensionPlanLiabilitiesNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Defined benefit plan, amounts recognized in balance sheet | (95.1)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheet / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (42.0)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheet / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member] |  |
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] |  |
Noncurrent assets | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Postemployment benefits liability, current | (29.6)us-gaap_PostemploymentBenefitsLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (30.8)us-gaap_PostemploymentBenefitsLiabilityCurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Other postretirement defined benefit plan, liabilities, noncurrent | (625.1)us-gaap_OtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlanLiabilitiesNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (547.1)us-gaap_OtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlanLiabilitiesNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Other postretirement defined benefit plan, liabilities | (654.7)us-gaap_OtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlanLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | (577.9)us-gaap_OtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlanLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Change in Benefit Obligation [Member] | Pension Plan [Member] |  |
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] |  |
Change in GM Portion of OPEB Obligation | 0 axl_ChangeInGmPortionOfOpebObligation / axl_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationAndPlanAssetsAxis = axl_ChangeInBenefitObligationMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 0 axl_ChangeInGmPortionOfOpebObligation / axl_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationAndPlanAssetsAxis = axl_ChangeInBenefitObligationMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Change in Benefit Obligation [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member] |  |
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] |  |
Change in GM Portion of OPEB Obligation | $ 31.8 axl_ChangeInGmPortionOfOpebObligation / axl_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationAndPlanAssetsAxis = axl_ChangeInBenefitObligationMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | $ (17.0)axl_ChangeInGmPortionOfOpebObligation / axl_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInBenefitObligationAndPlanAssetsAxis = axl_ChangeInBenefitObligationMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember

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- Definition Change in the amount estimated to be received from General Motors Company (GM) that relates to an agreement between us and GM to share proportionally in the cost of other postretirement employee benefits for eligible retirees based on the length of service an employee had with us and GM. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amounts estimated to be received from General Motors Company (GM), within one year of the balance sheet date, that relate to an agreement between us and GM to share proportionally in the cost of other postretirement employee benefits for eligible retirees based on the length of service an employee had with us and GM. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amounts estimated to be received from General Motors Company (GM), beyond one year of the balance sheet date, that relate to an agreement between us and GM to share proportionally in the cost of other postretirement employee benefits for eligible retirees based on the length of service an employee had with us and GM. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Aggregate of the current and noncurrent amounts estimated to be received from General Motors Company (GM) associated with an agreement between us and GM to share proportionally in the cost of other postretirement employee benefits for eligible retirees based on the length of service an employee had with us and GM. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This represents the current liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2417-114920 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2410-114920 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915240&loc=d3e1703-114919 + Details
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- Definition This represents the noncurrent liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2417-114920 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2410-114920 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915240&loc=d3e1703-114919 + Details
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- Definition The aggregate net amount recognized in the balance sheet associated with the defined benefit plan(s). Will normally be the same as the Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan, Total. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915240&loc=d3e1703-114919 + Details
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- Definition The amount for overfunded plans recognized in the balance sheet as a noncurrent asset associated with a defined benefit pension plan or other postretirement defined benefit plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915240&loc=d3e1703-114919 + Details
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- Definition This represents the entire liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with other postretirement defined benefit plans (excluding pension plans). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2417-114920 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2410-114920 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915240&loc=d3e1703-114919 + Details
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- Definition This represents the noncurrent liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with other postretirement defined benefit plans (excluding pension plans). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2417-114920 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2410-114920 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915240&loc=d3e1703-114919 + Details
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- Definition For a classified balance sheet, the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the portion of the obligations recognized for the various benefits provided to former or inactive employees, their beneficiaries, and covered dependents after employment but before retirement that is payable within one year of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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