Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments	$ 22	$ 62
Auction rate securities [Member] | Quoted Market Prices (Level 1) [Member]
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments	0	0
Trimas Corporation Common Stock [Member] | Quoted Market Prices (Level 1) [Member]
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments		40	[1]
Quoted Market Prices (Level 1) [Member]
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments	0	40
Auction rate securities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments	0	0
Trimas Corporation Common Stock [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments		0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments	0	0
Auction rate securities [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments	22	22
Trimas Corporation Common Stock [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments		0
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments	22	22
Auction rate securities [Member]
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments	22	22
Trimas Corporation Common Stock [Member]
Financial investments included in other assets
Total recurring investments	$ 0	$ 40

[1] Other principally includes the effect of foreign currency translation.