XML 24 R31.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	$ 1,534.7us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount		$ 1,536.4us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount
Current portion of long-term debt	13.9us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent		13.0us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent
Long-term debt	1,520.8us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations		1,523.4us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	6.40%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate		6.40%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0us-gaap_LineOfCredit / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember		0us-gaap_LineOfCredit / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	523.5us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity	505.5us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Secured Debt [Member] | Term Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	140.6us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LoansPayableMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember		142.5us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LoansPayableMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal	1.9us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LoansPayableMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember	1.9us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_LoansPayableMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Unsecured Debt [Member] | 7.75% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	200.0us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axl_A775NotesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember		200.0us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axl_A775NotesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Unsecured Debt [Member] | 6.625% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	550.0us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axl_A6625NotesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember		550.0us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axl_A6625NotesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Unsecured Debt [Member] | 6.25% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	400.0us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axl_A625NotesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember		400.0us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axl_A625NotesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Unsecured Debt [Member] | 5.125% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	200.0us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axl_A5.125NotesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember		200.0us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = axl_A5.125NotesMember / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Foreign Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	39.2us-gaap_LineOfCredit / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember		38.9us-gaap_LineOfCredit / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember
Notes payable	39.2us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember
Debt instrument, unused borrowing capacity, amount	46.2us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnusedBorrowingCapacityAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations	4.9us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember		5.0us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
Class D [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, standby letters of credit issued against the facility	$ 18.0axl_LineOfCreditFacilityStandbyLettersOfCreditIssuedAgainstFacility / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember / axl_TrancheAxis = axl_ClassDMember

X

- Definition

The amount of total standby letters of credit issued against the revolving credit facility at the reporting date, which represents a reduction of the available borrowing capacity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	axl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal through the balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737

+ Details

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

X

- Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payments applied to principal.

+ 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 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of unused borrowing capacity under the long-term financing arrangement that is available to the entity as 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 210.5-02.22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Subparagraph b

-Article 5

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Represents the aggregate of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligation due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ 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 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section H

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt, after unamortized discount or premium, scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ 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 210.5-02.19,20)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	axl_TrancheAxis=axl_ClassDMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
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Period Type: