Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions	Sep. 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
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