... and why did Ford feel it necessary to not use a normal hex head?
It's on the back of the splash cover on the front wheel. It holds the ABS sensor in place. A 1/4" hex socket felt like it fit by braille but obviously that isn't it. This is a 1996 Bronco.

 

Might be answering my own question. Looks like it might be a 6mm 12 point head. Will see if I can find the socket to fit this unicorn tomorrow.

 

12 point for sure. Size is hard to say by looking here

 

I measured it as 34 mm on my monitor, but if no have 34 mm socket, it could be looked at with an I-phone to use a smaller socket

 

That bolt doesn't hold the ABS sensor in, it holds the ABS sensor SHIELD in. Yep, it's a 6mm 12 point. And it needs to be 1/4" drive so it can fit back there. Good luck finding one of those sockets locally. I had to order one off Amazon. Your local tool store or auto parts store most likely will not have one, and they might not even be able to order one.

And when you finally do get the proper socket, the head of that bolt will probably just round off, so you can probably just skip buying the socket and just drill the damn thing out. That's been my experience, anyway. I see you're in Texas though, so rust probably isn't much of an issue and you might be able to get that bolt out without much trouble, if you get the socket.

I hate those ABS sensor shield things. I ended up destroying mine while trying to remove them, but even if I hadn't, I probably still wouldn't have reinstalled them. The ABS still works perfectly fine without them, and I don't have to deal with those stupid bolts any more.

 

Just do as HIO suggested and look at it in higher resolution so a larger socket will fit.

 

Man, you guys are tough.

 

I though about drilling but don't have a drill motor that I think will fit. We have a Napa that has had a good selection of tools in the past; I'll try them. I had already seen it on Amazon for about $13.

Why couldn't they just use a regular hex bolt? It's bad enough about half the trucks bolts are metric and the other half are US. Is it too late to return it to the dealer?

 

If you have to drill it, don't drill the head of the bolt. Drill the other end of the bolt. There's a small hole on the front of the sensor shield. The bolt threads into that hole from the back side.

 

Yeah, I was eyeballing that. Thanks. Kind of makes sense. Clockwise from that end seems like it should help loosen it

 

Silly question, but why wouldn't you replace the bolt with a six point after you get the original off? Assuming you want to keep the ABS shield

 

IDK about that particular bolt but Ford did also use what's called triple square. They are both 12pt but the angles are different.

 

This bolt is 12 point, not triple square.

 

Once you get a socket to fit it heat it with a propane torch, not red hot but hot. Then squirt it with some water. Repeat process. Heat again but not as hot. Spray some of your fave penetrant on it (personally I use PB Blaster) Heat 1 more time but not as hot again. Knock the dookey out of it with a hammer. Remove bolt. This has worked for me probably 98% of the time I used it for exhaust manifold bolts.

 

Also if you can see it from the other side hit that side with penetrant as well.