CMRT Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep

The correct answer is fatigue. Fatigue in bearings occurs due to repetitive stress over time, which can lead to the development of microscopic cracks in the rolling surface. As these cracks grow, they eventually lead to spalling, which creates a distinct pattern or track on the raceway. This is often observed as darker or rougher sections on the race surfaces where the rolling elements make contact.

Misalignment, while it can cause uneven wear and overheating in bearings, does not specifically create a track pattern in the race itself associated with rolling element fatigue. Bearing creep involves the shifting of the bearing inner or outer race relative to the shaft or housing, which can cause excessive clearance but does not directly result in a visible track characteristic. Brinelling refers to indentation or permanent deformation in the raceway due to excessive load or shock, which can also produce a pattern but is distinct from the fatigue spalling pattern. Thus, fatigue is the most appropriate term for a bearing failure characterized by a rolling element’s track in the race.