Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$ 4,328	$ 135,532	$ 264,016
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes of $19,593, $(8,628) and $6,093 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively	98,830	(71,994)	(173,385)
Pension and other postretirement effects, net of deferred taxes of $(14,228), $9,737 and $(4,472) in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively	20,775	(16,069)	14,937
Cash flow hedging activity, net of deferred taxes of $(38), $(296) and $(831) in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively	148	2,220	1,752
Other comprehensive income (loss)	119,753	(85,843)	(156,696)
Comprehensive income, including noncontrolling interests	124,081	49,689	107,320
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,114)	(3,787)	(7,036)
Comprehensive income attributable to Flowserve Corporation	$ 121,967	$ 45,902	$ 100,284