Segment Information (Sales And Operating Profit By Segment And Reconciliation Of Segment Operating Profit To Earnings Before Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Revenue, Net [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 624,970	$ 574,226	$ 1,225,588	$ 1,128,660
Gross Profit [Abstract]
Total operating profit	66,926	59,860	136,949	123,589
Operating profit (loss) margins	(10.70%)	(10.40%)	(11.20%)	(11.00%)
Deductions from operating profit [Abstract]
Interest expense	8,636	8,970	17,182	18,181
Equity-based compensation expense	685	1,742	4,790	5,175
Corporate expenses and other	7,816	5,843	12,239	11,148
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	49,789	43,305	102,738	89,085
Aircraft Controls [Member]
Revenue, Net [Abstract]
Net sales	236,388	206,030	467,468	401,981
Gross Profit [Abstract]
Total operating profit	22,783	19,168	47,610	39,363
Operating profit (loss) margins	(9.60%)	(9.30%)	(10.20%)	(9.80%)
Space And Defense Controls [Member]
Revenue, Net [Abstract]
Net sales	89,811	87,791	178,205	183,537
Gross Profit [Abstract]
Total operating profit	9,903	13,083	22,646	28,898
Operating profit (loss) margins	(11.00%)	(14.90%)	(12.70%)	(15.70%)
Industrial Systems [Member]
Revenue, Net [Abstract]
Net sales	168,015	155,851	326,100	299,596
Gross Profit [Abstract]
Total operating profit	19,272	15,858	35,098	30,265
Operating profit (loss) margins	(11.50%)	(10.20%)	(10.80%)	(10.10%)
Components [Member]
Revenue, Net [Abstract]
Net sales	95,643	90,348	183,790	176,699
Gross Profit [Abstract]
Total operating profit	13,479	13,255	28,508	28,058
Operating profit (loss) margins	(14.10%)	(14.70%)	(15.50%)	(15.90%)
Medical Devices [Member]
Revenue, Net [Abstract]
Net sales	35,113	34,206	70,025	66,847
Gross Profit [Abstract]
Total operating profit	$ 1,489	$ (1,504)	$ 3,087	$ (2,995)
Operating profit (loss) margins	(4.20%)	4.40%	(4.40%)	4.50%