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Employee Benefit Plans Deferred Compensation Plan (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Deferred compensation distributions	$ 1.2axl_DeferredCompensationDistributions	$ 6.1axl_DeferredCompensationDistributions	$ 0.8axl_DeferredCompensationDistributions
Increase (decrease) in deferred compensation	0.3us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredCompensation	0.8us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredCompensation	1.3us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredCompensation
Deferred compensation arrangement with individuals, recorded liability	5.6us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualRecordedLiability	6.2us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualRecordedLiability
Board of Directors Chairman [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Deferred compensation arrangement with individual, distributions paid				5.6us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualDistributionsPaid / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = us-gaap_BoardOfDirectorsChairmanMember
Increase (decrease) in deferred compensation		(5.6)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredCompensation / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = us-gaap_BoardOfDirectorsChairmanMember
Proceeds from life insurance policies		$ 5.0us-gaap_ProceedsFromLifeInsurancePolicies / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = us-gaap_BoardOfDirectorsChairmanMember

X

- Definition

The amount of distributions made from the deferred compensation plan to individuals in accordance with the terms and understanding of the deferred compensation arrangement during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	axl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of distributions made to the individual during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualDistributionsPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The carrying amount of the liability as of the balance sheet date to an individual under a deferred compensation arrangement. This amount may be the result of periodic accruals made over the period of active employment, or reflect termination benefits resulting contractual terms or a death benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 710

-SubTopic 10

-Section 30

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6409875&loc=d3e20015-108363

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the obligation created by employee agreements whereby earned compensation will be paid in the future.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

The cash inflow for proceeds from life insurance policies for which the entity is the beneficiary.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Period Type: