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Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		42 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 29, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net (loss) income	$ (10,512)	$ 471	$ (39,719)	$ (17,860)
Tecumseh Products Holdings LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Interest in the joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%		50.00%
Net (loss) income	$ (5,300)	(6,700)	$ (19,900)	(12,900)
Second Unconsolidated Affiliate [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Interest in the joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%		50.00%
Mueller Middle East [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Interest in the joint venture, ownership percentage	40.00%		40.00%		40.00%
Net (loss) income	$ (600)	(500)	$ (1,400)	(1,600)
Cash invested to acquire joint venture interest					$ 4,500
Labor Claim [Member] \| Tecumseh Products Holdings LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Contingency charge				3,000
Brazilian Federal Revenue Agency \| Tecumseh Products Holdings LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net (loss) income		$ 7,000		$ 7,000